International Blood Research & Reviews

Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC) Following Acute Hemolytic Transfusion Reaction (AHTR) in a Pregnant Woman in Rural Tanzania: A Case Report

Abdu Hussein Mogella — 2026-02-03

Background: Acute Hemolytic Transfusion Reaction (AHTR) is a severe transfusion-related complication that may precipitate secondary DIC. This risk is higher in pregnant women, where physiological hypercoagulability can mask early signs.

Case Presentation: We report a 23-year-old gravida 2 para 1 at 36+4 weeks of gestation. She developed DIC secondary to AHTR after transfusion of a suspected incompatible blood component. Within 30 minutes post-transfusion, she developed respiratory distress and fetal compromise. This necessitated an emergency cesarean section. Postoperatively, she had persistent bleeding, severe anemia, and acute kidney injury. Despite supportive therapy including intravenous fluids, antifibrinolytics, antibiotics, and limited blood transfusions, her condition worsened. She developed multi-organ failure and died on day six of admission.

Conclusion: Management of this case was hindered by a lack of confirmatory immunohematology testing. Limited availability of blood components and restricted access to intensive care unit (ICU) services also contributed. Strengthening early recognition of transfusion reactions, enforcing transfusion safety protocols, fostering multidisciplinary collaboration, and improving access to diagnostics and critical care resources are essential.

Epidemiology and Risk Stratification of Microcytic Hypochromic Anemia in Pregnancy: A Cross-sectional Study in Takoradi, Ghana

Ransford Oduro Kumi — 2026-01-01

Anemia in pregnancy is a major public health concern, particularly in low-resource settings, where iron deficiency remains the leading cause. This study investigated the prevalence, determinants, and risk profiling of microcytic hypochromic anemia, a type of anemia characterized by smaller than normal red blood cells (RBCs) with pale coloration due to less hemoglobin, among 360 pregnant women. Haematological indices, including haemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), were assessed to determine anemia status. Chi-square tests and logistic regression were used to examine associations and predictors of low ferritin, while risk stratification was conducted using quintiles of predicted probabilities. The results showed that 82.5% of women were anaemic, of microcytic hypochromic aneamia accounted for 72.5%. A history of anemia prior to pregnancy was significantly associated with current anemia status. Logistic regression identified prior anemia, smoking, alcohol consumption, being single, and parity of two as significant predictors of low ferritin, whereas supplement use during pregnancy was strongly protective. Risk profiling demonstrated clear model calibration, with prevalence of low ferritin increasing from 1.4% in the lowest risk quintile to 79.2% in the highest. These findings highlight the urgent need for comprehensive antenatal strategies that integrate universal supplementation, behavioural counselling, and socio-economic support to reduce the burden of anemia and improve maternal outcomes.

Premarital Screening for Haemoglobin Genotype, HIV and Syphilis among Prospective Couples in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Chidi L. C. Ndukwu — 2026-01-14

Background: Premarital medical screenings for prospective marital couples are vital public health tools for the prevention of such hereditary diseases as sickle cell disease, sexually transmitted and bloodborne infections, which may be transmitted from one spouse to the other and to their offspring. While the screening for haemoglobin genotypes is useful in preventing couples at risk from passing the homozygous SS or related genes to their children who may suffer from sickle cell disease (SCD), HIV, and syphilis screening are helpful in the prevention and control of the associated infectious diseases.

Methodology: In this retrospective, descriptive cross-sectional study, the laboratory records of premarital screenings for couples who were tested for Hb genotype, HIV and syphilis were reviewed and analysed statistically using descriptive statistics and chi-square test of independence.

Results: The genotype results in this study reveal that 76% of the persons tested were Hb AA, followed by 116 who were reported to be Hb AS (23%), Hb SS (0.8%), and Hb AC (0.2%). A preponderant number of the marital unions were noticed to be between Hb AA males and Hb AA females, accounting for 59.9%; Hb AA and Hb AS couples (32.5%), Hb AA and Hb SS(1.2%), Hb AS and Hb AS (5.6%), while Hb AS and Hb SS (0.4%). The total prevalences of HIV, syphilis, HIV/ syphilis co-infection and overall infection of HIV and/ or syphilis are observed at 1.0%, 0.4%, 0.2% and 1.2% respectively.

Conclusion: The diseases intended to be controlled in this study are of particular concern with regard to their public health implications. It is recommended that national campaigns be carried out to promote awareness on PMSTs and the treatment of persons infected with syphilis and HIV.

P-selectin Marker in Venous Thromboembolism

Jumala Nikhitha — 2026-02-05

Venous thrombosis is a life threatening disease associated with high morbidity and mortality. Predisposing factors of venous thrombosis associated with obesity, age, varicose veins etc. There is an interaction between the thrombosis and inflammation. P selectin unregulated glycoprotein, has an ability to bind to the ligand of leucocytes and platelets. Modulation contributes of initial thrombus, plays an important role in development and progression of thromobocytic events and may acts as a biomarker for venous thrombo embolism.