Article Text
Summary
Delayed haemolytic transfusion reaction is a rare, life-threatening complication of blood transfusion that has been typically described among patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) due to alloimmunisation induced by their exposure to red blood cell antigens through recurrent transfusions. We report the case of a patient who suffered from fatal delayed haemolytic transfusion reaction (DHTR) occurring 1 week after blood transfusion. Indirect antiglobulin testing confirmed the presence of anti-Kell antibodies that were absent in the pretransfusion sample. The patient did not receive blood transfusions in the past, but her obstetric history was remarkable for 13 pregnancies. Although DHTR occurs more commonly among patients with SCD, this type of reaction can occur in any patient who is able to mount an immune response. We would to like to draw the attention of physicians to this rare and potentially lethal complication of blood transfusion, especially in grand multiparous women.
- haematology (incl blood transfusion)
- obstetrics and gynaecology
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Footnotes
Contributors EC wrote the initial draft, gathered blood bank data and contributed to the discussion of the findings. NB gathered data, described findings reported in the study, wrote the discussion and the final version.
Competing interests None declared.
Patient consent Obtained.
Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.