Twenty-eight cases of thalassemia: A retrospective study of autologous and allogeneic erythrocyte transfusions during cesarean section
Abstract
Aim
Erythrocytes from patients with thalassemia might be susceptible to hemolysis during recycling and washing. Therefore, autologous erythrocyte transfusion using erythrocytes from parturient women with thalassemia has been suggested as a relative contraindication. Only a limited number of successful cases have been documented to date, and few clinical studies with large sample sizes are available as evidence to support this practice. This study aimed to assess the intraoperative safety and the degree of postoperative anemia correction in women with thalassemia receiving erythrocyte transfusions during cesarean section.
Methods
Between 2016 and 2024, we conducted a retrospective cohort study of 27 parturient women with non-transfusion-dependent thalassemia at the Affiliated Hospital for Women and Children of Xiamen University. Autologous (Group 1) and allogeneic (Group 2) erythrocyte transfusions were administered during cesarean section, based on the specifics of the intraoperative bleeding.
Results
In Group 1, urinalysis results for hemoglobin, bilirubin, and urobilinogen in all patients were negative. In Group 2, urinalysis results for hemoglobin and bilirubin were similarly negative in all patients, but one patient had a positive urobilinogen result.
Conclusion
The results showed that both transfusion strategies were safe and effective when strict indications and standardized operating procedures were followed.