KIDNEY FUNCTION STATUS OF BLOOD DONORS

ABSTRACT

Blood donation is a voluntary process where individuals contribute a portion of their blood for medical purposes, such as transfusions or treating medical conditions. It involves the collection of either whole blood or specific blood components, with the remaining components replenished by the body over time. The connection between blood donation and kidney function lies in the fact that the kidneys play a vital role in filtering and purifying blood. They remove waste products, regulate electrolyte balance, and maintain fluid balance. When someone donates blood, there is a temporary reduction in blood volume, prompting the kidneys to adjust their filtration and regulatory processes to maintain balance despite the decrease. In terms of kidney health, blood donation generally does not have a long-term impact. The objective of this study was to assess the kidney function status in blood donors at a tertiary health institution in Edo State. The study involved a total of sixty-one blood donors who underwent serology screening and provided demographic data. Samples of blood were collected from the donors, and the levels of electrolytes as well as urea and creatinine levels were measured. Statistical analyses were conducted to compare these biomarkers both independently and in relation to demographic factors, including occupation, education, genotype, ABO compatibility, and serology screening outcomes. The results revealed no statistically significant variation in electrolyte levels or urea/creatinine levels when compared separately or in relation to the demographic factors (p˂0.05), suggesting that these factors may not have a substantial impact on the kidney function status of the blood donor population at the tertiary health institution.