Background and Objectives: Blood transfusion is a life-saving intervention but may cause nonfatal to fatal untoward events. Therefore, for safe blood transfusion, various adverse reactions need to be identified and steps should be taken to reduce such events. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence and analyze the types of acute transfusion reactions (ATRs) with associated factors. Patients and Methods: All ATRs reported to the transfusion medicine department from January 2016 to December 2020 were retrospectively reviewed and analyzed. The incidence of ATRs and its associated factors were assessed. Results: During the study period, a total of 39,070 units of blood were issued, out of which there was an incidence of 0.24% (n = 95) ATRs mostly seen in females and older patients aged above 60 years. Most common ATR was febrile nonhemolytic transfusion reactions (51.6%, n = 49), followed by allergic reaction (35.8%, n = 34). The most common symptom was chills and rigor (41.1%). The frequency of reactions was significantly higher with packed red blood cell transfusion (62.1%). Patients with previous transfusion history (n = 63, % = 66.3, P = 0.711) had more ATRs. Conclusion: By this study, the authors want to create awareness among health personnel involved in the transfusion chain is necessary to establish a proper hemovigilance system.

Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) has evolved to an accepted therapy for selected indications. The aim is to remove putative disease mediators from the body. It is technically challenging in children but has become increasingly common practices for last several decades. We report a successful case of TPE along with renal replacement therapy in a 3-year-5-month old boy, weighing 15kg, diagnosed as atypical haemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS). To the best of our knowledge TPE and Haemodialysis for such age and weight was for the first time in Bangladesh.

Background and Objectives: In 1939, D antigen was discovered which is believed to be the most immunogenic antigen in Rhesus (Rh) blood group system. There are some D variants such as weak D, partial D, and DEL due to gene polymorphism. These variants can cause RhD-positive person to behave like RhD negative which could result in alloimmunization. Clinically weak D antigen is very important due to its strong immunogenicity in spite of its low frequency. Hence, we need to know the prevalence of weak D variants in the community. The purpose of this study is to find out weak D prevalence among the Bangladeshi population. Methods: It is a retrospective study done over the last 5 years, from January 2015 to December 2019, at the department of transfusion medicine of three tertiary care hospitals in Bangladesh. A total of 177,702 patients were enrolled in the study. Blood samples that were negative for RhD were tested for weak D by indirect antiglobulin test according to institutional protocol. Results: Out of 177,702 patients, 7359 (4.1%) were found to be RhD negative and among those, 14 (0.19%) were weak D antigen positive. Conclusion: Weak D antigen is prevalent in Bangladesh and every RhD-negative individual should be checked for the presence of weak D to prevent RhD alloimmunization.

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