Frequency of Red Cell Alloantibodies among Pregnant Women Receiving Antenatal Care in a Tertiary Health Facility in Jos, Nigeria

Aims: To determine the frequency of red blood cell alloantibodies among pregnant women in Jos, Nigeria.

Study Design: A cross sectional study was carried out among pregnant women accessing antenatal care.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Department of Haematology and Blood Transfusion, Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) Jos, Nigeria from 24th April 2017 to 31st May 2017.

Methodology: We included 200 pregnant women accessing antenatal care. Data on clinical details were obtained with an Interviewer-administered questionnaire. Screening and identification of red blood cell alloantibodies were made using the DiaCells, and DiaPanels (DiaMed GmbH, Switzerland). ABO and Rh blood groups were done using antisera from Biotec (Ipswich, UK).

Results: Out of 200 participants, alloantibodies were found in 24 (12.0%) of participants and their specificities were as follows; anti-E, 9 (4.5%); anti- e, 1 (0.5%); anti-C, 6 (3.0%); anti- c, 2 (1.0%); anti- K, 2 (1.0%); anti- P, 1 (0.5%); anti- N, 1 (0.5%), while 2 (1.0%) showed a combination of antibodies of whose specificities could not be determined by the Diamed 11-panel cells. Multigravidity was identified as a risk factor for alloimmunization (P= 0.01). However, alloimmunization status was independent of previous abortions, trimester of pregnancy, and ABO blood group of the studied population.

Conclusion: Alloantibody screening and identification is should be included in routine antenatal care, especially for at-risk populations.