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Frequency of hepatitis C in obstetric cases
Talat J H Rizvi1, Hassan Fatima
1PMRC Research Centre, National Institute of Child Health, Karachi.
Insights
The frequency of anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibodies was similar after single (13.2%) and multiple blood transfusions (15.4%). This highlights the need for universal HCV screening in blood donors and careful consideration for transfusion indications.
Area of Science:
- Medical Research
- Virology
- Public Health
Background:
- Hepatitis C virus (HCV) poses a significant public health risk.
- Blood transfusions are a potential route for HCV transmission.
- Understanding HCV prevalence in transfusion recipients is crucial for transfusion safety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the incidence of anti-HCV antibodies in obstetric patients.
- To evaluate anti-HCV frequency following single versus multiple blood transfusions.
- To assess anti-HCV rates in non-transfused controls.
Main Methods:
- A comparative descriptive study was conducted.
- 197 obstetric patients (38 single transfusion, 39 multiple transfusion, 120 controls) were analyzed.
- Anti-HCV was detected using the Roche HCV EIA 2nd generation kit.
Main Results:
- Anti-HCV was detected in 13.2% of single transfusion patients and 15.4% of multiple transfusion patients.
- The prevalence of anti-HCV in non-transfused controls was 6.6%.
- The frequency of anti-HCV was comparable between single and multiple transfusion groups.
Conclusions:
- Blood transfusion, even a single unit, carries a risk of HCV transmission.
- Nationwide screening of blood donors for anti-HCV using sensitive assays is essential.
- Clear indications for single blood transfusions are necessary to minimize unnecessary exposure.
Objective:
To compare the frequency of antihepatitis C virus (HCV) after single blood transfusion, multiple blood transfusion and in non-transfused obstetric cases.
Design:
A comparative descriptive study.
Place And Duration Of Study:
The Department of Obstetric and Gynaecology, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, during the period of one-year from January 2002 to December 2002.
Patients And Methods:
Patients included in the study after single transfusion were 38, after multiple transfusion 39, and controls 120. History of patients regarding all the relevant information and clinical examination were recorded on a specially-designed and coded proforma. Anti-HCV was detected by Roche HCV EIA 2nd generation kit method in all cases and controls. Descriptive statistics and frequency of anti HCV in each group was calculated using SPSS version 10.
Results:
Frequency of anti-HCV among patients with single blood transfusion was 13.2% (5), with multiple transfusion was 15.4% (6) and 6.6% (8) in non-transfused subjects.
Conclusion:
Anti-HCV frequency after one pint blood was almost same (13.2%) as after multiple transfusion (15.4%). This positively provided a firm argument for the necessity of a nationwide blood donor screening for anti-HCV by most sensitive immunoassay. Equally important was the need for clear cut indication for single blood transfusion.
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