are blood transfusions a risk factor for autoimmune hemolytic anemia?
GROUND: The development of RBC autoantibodies resulting from or associated with allogeneic blood transfusions (i.e., RBC autoimmunization) is not a well-recognized complication of RBC transfusions. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: T: he presentation, laboratory evaluation, clinical course, and management of two patients whose autoimmune hemolytic anemia followed allogeneic blood transfusion and occurred in association with the development of one or more alloantibodies is described. A retrospective analysis was performed of our blood-bank records over 1 year to determine the frequency of RBC autoimmunization associated with alloimmunization. RESULTS: Out of 2618 patients who had a positive DAT or IAT, 121 were identified with RBC autoantibodies; 41 of these patients had both allo- and autoantibodies to RBC antigens, whereas the remainder, 80, had only autoantibodies. At least 34 percent (12/41) of these patients (none with hemoglobinopathy) developed their autoantibodies in temporal associatio
