Selecting K compatible blood components for transfusion can prevent anti-K immunization in women of childbearing age.

Abstract

With selecting K compatible blood for transfusion, we prevent K immunization and many unnecessary prenatal testing and gynecological examinations for at least 78% of pregnant women with K negative partners, whose fetus is not at risk of hemolytic disease of fetus and newborn. Abstract Background Kell antibodies are beside RhD and c antibodies one of most clinically important antibodies that can cause severe hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN) in pregnancy,which is still remaining one of the major causes of perinatal morbidity and mortality. Therefore, pregnant women with eryhrocyte alloantibodies anti-K need many prenatal testing and gynecological examinations. The major cause for anti-K immunisation is transfusion of incompatible blood in the past. Methods We analysed retrospectively the data of 71 pregnant woman with alloantibodies anti-K, which were followed in Blood Transfusion Centre of Slovenia from 2004 -2014. We collected data of partner´s phenotype and woman´s transfusion history. Data were statistically analyzed with basic statistical methods. Results 61 out of 71 partners were tested (86%) and 48 were K negative (78%).The transfusion history was available for only 23 women (32%). The transfusion history was available for 23 out of 48 women with K negative partner (48%). All of them were transfused. 78% received incompatible-K positive blood, for the rest 22% women donations they received were not K typed. Conclusions From the obtained data, we found that in 78% of cases cause for K alloimunnization is transfusion of K incompatible blood in past. With selecting K compatible blood for transfusion, we can prevent K immunization and many unnecessary prenatal testing and gynecological examinations for 78% pregnant women with K negative partners .