ABSTRACT

Background: Blood transfusion is very important in children with diseases require blood, especially children with hematological or oncological diseases. The hazard of CMV sero-positive is thought high in children receiving multiple blood transfusions.

Aim: To assess the frequency of CMV sero-positivity in individuals of pediatric age group receiving more than one blood transfusions

Methods: This cross-sectional study was piloted in children age 6 months to 12 years old in the OPD for 6 months. Children receiving blood transfusions i.e., >1 within 6 months were included by applying the non-probability purposive sampling technique. Blood sample was taken for PCR and IgG and IgM sero-positive were assessed. CMV was labeled positive if IgM or IgG were higher.

Results: The mean age of children was 6.5±3.6 years. There were 94 (62.7%) males and 56 (37.3%) females. About 69(46%) children had acute lymphoblastic leukemia followed by thalassemia [40 (26.7%)] and aplastic anemia 7(4.7%). CMV sero-postivity was detected in 35(23.3%) cases.

Conclusion: Thus the frequency of CMV sero-positivity is high in children receiving multiple blood transfusions and cannot be ignored.

Keywords: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Sero-positivity, Multiple Blood Transfusions, IgG, IgM