Transfusion-induced hemoglobinopathy in patients of beta-thalassemia major

• Main Authors: Sanjeev K Gupta, Monica Sharma, Seema Tyagi, Hara P Pati
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2011-01-01
• Series: Indian Journal of Pathology and Microbiology
• Subjects: HbS; hemoglobinopathy; thalassemia major; transfusion
• Online Access: http://www.ijpmonline.org/article.asp?issn=0377-4929;year=2011;volume=54;issue=3;spage=609;epage=611;aulast=Gupta

Apparent hemoglobinopathy acquired after blood transfusion is an uncommon cause of diagnostic dilemma resulting in repeated testing and delay in the diagnosis. Out of the 1530 hemoglobin (Hb)- high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) performed at our hospital (May 2009 to April 2010), 3 pediatric cases of thalassemia major were detected having posttransfusion hemoglobinopathy with HbS ranging from 9.9% to 18.5%. In all three cases, there was no variant hemoglobin in earlier documented Hb-HPLC. It is important to be aware of and consider apparent transfusion-induced hemoglobinopathy in patients with unusual percentage of variant hemoglobin to avoid unnecessary treatment and counseling.