Abstract
Objective(s): The present study was designed to provide additional information on some hematological and
biochemical changes associated with blood transfusion in sickle cell anemia (SCA) patients.
Materials and methods: A total of 86 subjects (aged between 20 and 40 years) were randomly studied. Among
these were 30 multi-transfused SCA (? 3 units of blood per year), 30 rarely transfused SCA (year) and 26 apparently healthy individuals. The blood samples collected in EDTA were used for packed cell
volume, haemoglobin concentration, total white blood cell count, and platelet count using Sysmex®, Automated
Hematology analyser where the blood samples collected in the anticoagulant free vacutainers were used for total
bilirubin, aspartate amino transferase, alanine amino transferase using Beckman’s autoanalyser. Statistical analysis
was done using the student’s t-test. PResults: The PCV and HB concentration were significantly lower in both multi and rarely blood transfused
subjects when compared with controls (P=0.001) whereas the WBC, PLT, total bilirubin, AST and ALT were
significantly higher in both multi and rarely blood transfused subjects when compared with controls (P=0.001).
Conclusion: This study revealed a mild elevation of the liver function tests of the sickle cell anemia patients
which are indicative of an increased red cell splenic sequestration and haemolysis regardless of blood transfusion.