Highlights
- •Alloimmunization and iron overload are risks of red cell transfusion for SCD.
- •Prophylactic Rh and K matching of red cells is recommended for patients with SCD.
- •RH variation among African patients and donors contributes to Rh alloimmunization.
- •Immunosuppression can be tailored for severe hemolytic transfusion reactions.
Abstract
Blood transfusion is a common medical intervention for patients with sickle cell disease
(SCD) and disease related complications. While patients with SCD are at risk for all
transfusion related adverse events defined by the National Healthcare Safety Network
(NHSN) Biovigilance Component Hemovigilance Module Surveillance Protocol, they are
uniquely susceptible to certain adverse events. This review discusses risk factors,
mitigation strategies, and management recommendations for alloimmunization, hemolytic
transfusion reactions, hyperviscosity and transfusion-associated iron overload in
the context of SCD.
Keywords
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Published online: August 28, 2022
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