Abstract

Objective(s): The present study was designed to provide additional information on some hematological and biochemical changes associated with blood transfusion in sickle cell anemia (SCA) patients.
Materials and methods: A total of 86 subjects (aged between 20 and 40 years) were randomly studied. Among these were 30 multi-transfused SCA (≥ 3 units of blood per year), 30 rarely transfused SCA (<3 units of blood per year) and 26 apparently healthy individuals. The blood samples collected in EDTA were used for packed cell volume, haemoglobin concentration, total white blood cell count, and platelet count using Sysmex®, Automated Hematology analyser where the blood samples collected in the anticoagulant free vacutainers were used for total bilirubin, aspartate amino transferase, alanine amino transferase using Beckman’s autoanalyser. Statistical analysis was done using the student’s t-test. P<0.05 was considered significant.
Results: The PCV and HB concentration were significantly lower in both multi and rarely blood transfused subjects when compared with controls (P=0.001) whereas the WBC, PLT, total bilirubin, AST and ALT were significantly higher in both multi and rarely blood transfused subjects when compared with controls (P=0.001).
Conclusion: This study revealed a mild elevation of the liver function tests of the sickle cell anemia patients which are indicative of an increased red cell splenic sequestration and haemolysis regardless of blood transfusion.

Keywords: Blood transfusion; Immune response; Haemolysis; Sickle cell anaemia