A recent study found that between 2021 and 2025, the demand for human leukocyte antigen (HLA)- and human platelet antigen (HPA)-matched platelets has increased in Canada.
Of the requests analyzed, 14.4% were for hematologic disorders including fetal and neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (FNAIT).
Findings were based on reports from the HLA/HPA Platelet Program at Canadian Blood Services. “This program faces the challenge of maintaining the ability to produce platelet products suitable for a population that is increasing in size and diversity,” the researchers explained.
The study included 788 approved requests for platelets, representing 688 individual patients. Participants had an average age of 60.5 years, although ages ranged from 1 to 90. Most patients were from Ontario and Manitoba.
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Overall, patient characteristics remained fairly consistent over the study period. Acute leukemia accounted for the majority of requests (44.2%), followed by myelodysplastic syndrome (15.7%).
Between the 2021/22 to 2023/24 fiscal years, the number of new cases stayed largely the same. However, in 2024/25, the number increased by 38.7%. Also, patients remained enrolled for a median of 120 days in 2021/22 compared to 84.5 days in 2024/25.
The researchers attributed this rise in cases in part to increased awareness surrounding the need for platelet-matched transfusions. In addition to working directly with care teams to identify acceptable donors, the HLA/HPA Platelet Program hosts educational events at hospitals.
Furthermore, Canadian Blood Services introduced new infection-control technology in 2022, which has increased platelet demand and utilization. Given the rise in the Canadian population, the total number of individuals entering the health care system has also increased, contributing to elevated demand.
“These findings can inform strategies for donor recruitment, inventory management, and case management to ensure reliable access to compatible platelets for sensitized patients,” the authors concluded.
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