International Blood Research & Reviews

Aims: To observe the effect of storage on lipid profile in pre-irradiated blood and non-irradiated blood before transfusion.

Study Design: Prospective study.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Biochemistry and Department of Transfusion Medicine, Pt. BD Sharma PGIMS, Rohtak, Haryana, India from April 2015 to July 2015.

Methodology: Blood for transfusion (450 ml) was drawn from 60 healthy volunteer donors into CPDA-1 anticoagulant (63 ml) and stored at 2-4°C with 30 randomly selected blood bags subjected to 25 Grey gamma radiation before storage. Blood sample from each bag was analyzed at 0, 3, 7, 14 and 21 days interval for lipid profile and was compared statistically between two groups.

Results: A statistically significant decrease in levels of triglycerides (TG) and very low density cholesterol (VLDL-C) while an increase in low density cholesterol (LDL-C) was observed in pre-irradiated samples as compared to non-irradiated ones in 14^th day and 21^st day samples. The difference in other parameters and at lesser storage durations was not found to be statistically significant.

Conclusion: The blood to be transfused should be fresh, non-irradiated or stored upto a duration of two weeks after radiation especially if recipients are at increased cardiac risk. The findings need to be supported with further studies with larger sample groups.

Background: Blood can neither be manufactured nor can be procured from other creatures and can only be taken from healthy human beings between the ages 18-65 years for providing safe blood/component to the needy human beings. So, equal participation from males and females should be an ideal situation.

Aims of Study: This study aims at elaborating the contribution of female participation in voluntary blood donation in developing countries.

Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective cross-sectional study. Data of blood donors, visiting at the blood bank, J. A hospital, Gwalior from 2004-2014 for blood donation were retrieved, compiled and analyzed on gender basis.

Results: A total number of 1, 37,767 donors donated blood during the above mentioned period, 94,729 (68.8%) were voluntary and 43,038 (31.2%) were relative donors (p= 0.00000). Proportion of male vs. female blood donation was found to be 1, 32,470 (96.16%) & 5,297 (3.84%) respectively and we found a statistically significant difference in blood donation rate between males and females p<0.00001.

Conclusion: From the present study, it can be concluded that female participation in Gwalior, India is significantly lower as compared to findings from developed countries. There is a need to educate the female population to address the negative perceptions against blood donation and the importance of blood donation.

Aims: To estimate the fetal haemoglobin (HbF) in diabetes mellitus patients and its correlation to haemoglobin A1c levels as it is one of the effective diagnostic tools used in monitoring of diabetic patients.

Study Design: Analytical, laboratory, hospital-based, cross-sectional study.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out during the period March-June 2013. In Dreby Diabetic Centre, Khartoum, Khartoum State.

Methodology: A total of 150 samples were obtained; 50 insulin dependent diabetic patients, 50 non-insulin-treated diabetic patients and 50 control subjects with the same age and sex distribution. Hb A1c was estimated by ion exchange method and HbF was estimated by alkaline denaturation methods.

Results: Results showed significant increase in HbF and HbA1c in insulin-dependent diabetes (IDDM) in comparison to normal control (p<0.05). Strong positive correlation between the Hb F level and duration of treatment per year, (R 0.961) and weak negative correlation between Hb F level and Hb Alc in IDDM (R -0.436). Strong negative correlation between Hb F level and Hb Alc according to duration of insulin treatment in IDDM, (R-0.964, R2 0.929, p<0.05). There was weak negative correlation between Hb F level and Hb Alc according to age in IDDM, (R 0.580, R2 0.337, p<0.05).

Conclusion: It is noted in this study, the high level of HbF accompanied by a decreases in Hb A1c level, thus HbF must be considered when A1C measured by ion exchange method and when comparing it with other measures of glycaemic control.

Aims: This study analysed the blood donors deferral patterns at a government hospital blood bank in Saudi Arabia. The proportion and reasons of deferrals were also investigated.

Methodology: Retrospective review was done using donor records in a two-year period from January 2013 to December 2014. Information including age, type of donation, cause and type of deferral, physical and medical examination, and markers for transfusion transmitted infections (TTIs) were analysed. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used as appropriate. Distribution tables were developed to compare deferrals among different ages and to show the pattern that exists. Significant level was set at 5% (P <0.05).

Results: Of the 6,942 blood donors evaluated using the database, 6,644 (95.7%) were found fit for donation while 298 (4.3%) were deferred for various reasons with a mean age of 35.9 years. The majority of the deferred donors (28.8%) were between the ages of 21-30 years. Analysis of the deferrals showed that reactivity for the markers of TTIs was the primary reason of deferrals and likely the main cause for permanent deferrals (35.2%). Statistically, there was a significant difference among the various age groups of the deferred donor population.

Conclusion: The donor deferral rate in this study is comparably lower than in other regions of Saudi Arabia and some countries with a substantial variation in age groups among the deferred donors. Higher rate of temporary deferrals is evident among the young adult replacement donors old. Unnecessary deferrals observed in the study call for attention to their effect on donor retention.

Background: Iron deficiency (ID) and iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in adolescents tends to increase with age due to acceleration of growth.

Objectives: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of ID and IDA in adolescent girls in rural Upper Egypt.

Methods: 912 girls in 5 different village preparatory schools situated in El-Minya governorate at Upper Egypt were enrolled in the study. Complete blood count and serum ferritin were done to determine the prevalence of ID and IDA among them.

Results: Our study revealed 39.9% of the girls were anemic, the prevalence of IDA was 30.2% and that of ID without anemia was 11.4%.

Conclusions: ID, with or without anemia is still a major health problem in adolescent girls living in rural Upper Egypt.