Characteristics of alloantibodies in pediatric patients: specificity, distribution, and evanescence

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the specificity, distribution and evanescence of alloantibodies detected in pediatric patients and to reveal the clinical significance of alloantibodies found in this population. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on 69,383 antibody screening tests conducted over a five-year study period. Antibody identification results, as well as clinical data and transfusion history, were extracted and included in the analysis. Alloantibody specificity, distribution and the antibody evanescence phenomenon were investigated. RESULTS: No non-maternal alloantibodies were identified in infants younger than 4 months; The most commonly found non-maternal alloantibodies in pediatric patients were anti-M and anti-E. Out of the 14 positive patients who underwent at least one additional antibody screening test, antibodies in 11 (78.57%) patients disappeared in less than four years of follow-up. DISCUSSION: It might be advisable to omit the repeated antibody screening and cross-matching for infants under 4 months of age who have an initially negative antibody screening result. Pediatric patients appear more likely to lose alloantibodies than adult patients, so it is essential to identify their antibody specificity on time and keep the records trackable to avoid transfusing specific antigen-positive red blood cells.