Transfusion
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Transfusing only phenotype-matched RBCs has been recommended to reduce the incidence of alloimmunization to blood group antigens in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). ⋯ Limited phenotype matching would have prevented all alloantibodies in 53.3 percent of the patients who formed alloantibodies. This protocol requires RBCs that are readily available. Extended phenotype matching would have prevented alloimmunization in 70.8 percent of patients who formed alloantibodies. However, this would require phenotypes that are 22.7 times less prevalent among random blood donors and is therefore impractical for a long-term strategy.