doi-org-10-59708-ajlhts-v3i2-2403
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Abstract
Introduction: Blood transfusion is a therapeutic, life-saving
intervention. It has been widely used and overused in medical
practice since the early 20th century to treat anaemia and
haemorrhage. Blood transfusion may cause some adverse effects in
serum ferritin levels and haemoglobin concentrations, as may be
occasioned by overload. This study was carried out to determine
the effects of multiple transfusions on patients’ iron storage and
haemoglobin concentration in Owo, southwest Nigeria.
Methodology: Ethical approval was obtained as required. A total
of 87 participants were recruited for this study, comprising 67
recipients of multiple transfusions and 20 subjects who had never
received a blood transfusion. Haemoglobin was estimated using a
standard ELISA technique, and serum ferritin was estimated using
a colourimetric method. Data were analysed with SPSS version 25.0.
Values were considered significantly different at P < 0.05.
Result: The mean ± standard error of the mean (SEM) of
haemoglobin concentration revealed a significant decrease when
multiple transfused subjects with 5 pints and above (12.57± 1.17)
were compared to recipients of 2-4 pints (12.16± 1.25) with p=0.001.
The mean ± standard error of the mean (SEM) of serum ferritin
level was significantly elevated in multiple transfused subjects with
5 units and above (308.38±114.09); as compared with recipients of
2-4 units (279.95± 95.36) and those never transfused (100.92±20.29)
with a p-value of 0.001. Gender has no significant effect on serum
ferritin levels (p=0.227). The mean standard error of the mean of
haemoglobin concentration revealed a significant difference in males
(13.19±1.25) as compared to females (12.19±1.55) with p =0.001.
Conclusion: The significantly elevated serum ferritin in multitransfused patients suggests iron overload, which is reflected in the