Place of HPA1a Antigen in Neonatal Thrombocytopenia in Gyneco-Obstetric and Pediatric Hospital of Douala and Laquintinie Hospital of Douala
Authors:   Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences (FMSP), University of Douala, Douala, Cameroon, Essola Josiane Kikie ,   Clinical Biology Laboratory, Laquintinie Hospital, Douala, Cameroon, Nzinkeu Amougou AL ,   Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences (FMSP), University of Douala, Douala, Cameroon, Djim-Adjim-Ngana K ,   School of Veterinary Medicine and Sciences, University of Ngaoundere, Ngaoundere, Cameroon,   Centre for Research on Health and Priority Pathologies, Institute of Medical Research and Medicinal Plant Studies, Yaounde, Cameroon, Nsa’amang Eyebe C ,   Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences (FMSP), University of Douala, Douala, Cameroon, Eyebe RH ,   Centre for Research on Health and Priority Pathologies, Institute of Medical Research and Medicinal Plant Studies, Yaounde, Cameroon, Embolo Enyegue EL ,   Centre for Research on Health and Priority Pathologies, Institute of Medical Research and Medicinal Plant Studies, Yaounde, Cameroon, Essomba NE ,   Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences (FMSP), University of Douala, Douala, Cameroon,   Clinical Biology Laboratory, Laquintinie Hospital, Douala, Cameroon, Guy PN ,   Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences (FMSP), University of Douala, Douala, Cameroon,   Gyneco-Obstetric and Pediatric Hospital of Douala, Douala, Cameroon, Adiogo D ,   Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences (FMSP), University of Douala, Douala, Cameroon
Published: April 2024

Background: Platelet antigens called human platelet antigens (HPA) present on the surface of platelets are involved in immunological conflicts, sometimes leading to severe thrombocytopenia related to anti-HPA1a antibodies. The aim of this study was to detect platelet antibodies in newborns and the associated risk factors. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional analytical study from 05 January to 30 June 2017 at the Laquintinie Hospital of Douala and the Gyneco-Obstetric and Pediatric Hospital of Douala among newborns with thrombocytopenia and mothers in compliance with ethical considerations. Socio-demographic and clinical data were collected. Blood was collected on EDTA tubes for newborns and on tubes without anticoagulants for mothers in order to determine the presence of anti-HPA1a antibodies. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 22 software. Results: A total of 35 newborns and 35 mothers were recruited in this study. The mean age of the newborns was 8.5 ± 7.2 days, with a sex ratio of 1.7% in favor of boys. The prevalence of neonatal thrombocytopenia was 4.1%, and the prevalence of HPA1a antibody was 17.1%. Most of the newborns were born to primiparous mothers (57.1%), and 80.0% had prematurity and neonatal jaundice as reasons for hospitalization. Male newborns and those whose mothers had been transfused at least once during or before pregnancy had respectively 4 (OR = 3.53; P-value < 0.0001) and 14 (OR = 14; P-value = 0.0483) times more risk of having the anti-HPA1a antibody. Conclusion: Our study has shown that the anti-HPA1a antibody is a risk factor for neonatal thrombocytopenia and is associated with maternal transfusion.