Osaro Erhabor
Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Nigeria
Title: Some iron parameters among transfusion-dependent subjects in Maiduguri, Nigeria: The case for provision of chelating agents in developing countries
Biography
Biography: Osaro Erhabor
Abstract
The spectrum of haemolytic disease of the new-born has changed over the last decade. With the implementation of rhesus D immunoprophylaxis, haemolytic disease due to ABO incompatibility and other alloantibodies has now emerged as major causes of this condition. In this present study, we investigated ABO and rhesus D blood group distribution and haemolytic disease among the new-born in Sokoto Specialist Hospital Nigeria. The study included a total of 79 samples each collected from mothers and neonates delivered in Sokoto Specialist Hospital. ABO and rhesus D blood group was determined on samples from the mothers and the neonates. Direct anti-globulin test (IgG and complements) was carried out on the samples from the neonates. ABO, rhesus D and direct anti-globulin (IgG and complements C3b and C3d) was carried out using the column agglutination technique (Ortho Diagnostics, USA). ABO blood group distribution indicated that a total of 44 mothers were of blood group O (55.7%), 22 were of blood group A (27.8%), 12 were of blood group B (15.2%) and one was AB (1.3%). Among the neonates, rhesus D positive has the highest frequency of 57 (72.2%) and rhesus D negative with a frequency of 22 (27.8%). Rhesus D group distribution among the mothers indicated that 74 mothers were rhesus D positive (93.7%) and only 5 were grouped as rhesus D negative (6.3%). Of the 79 neonates tested, 36 were of blood group O (45.6%), 21 were of blood group A (26.6%), 20 were of blood group B (25.3%), 2 were of blood group AB (2.5%). Haemolytic disease of the fetus and new-born (HDFN) status of the neonates indicated that four neonates were positive (5.1%). Two (2.5%) cases were ABO incompatibility-related while rhesus D related incompatibility accounted for two (2.5%). Among the four cases of HDFN, two cases (2.5%) of due to the effects of complements while two (2.5%) were due to IgG antibodies. Findings from this study indicates that haemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn due to ABO and rhesus D incompatibility between mothers and their babies is prevalent in Sokoto, North Western Nigeria. We recommend that universal antenatal screening in all pregnant women can be initiated. A close follow up throughout pregnancy is required to detect the presence of irregular antibodies. There is need to consider universal antenatal screening and provision of prophylactic anti-D prophylaxis to prevent rhesus D negative pregnant women from producing immune anti-D following potentially sensitizing events and HDFN in subsequent pregnancies.