Efficacy, recovery, and safety of RBCs from autologous placental blood: clinical experience in 52 newborns.
BACKGROUND
In the present study, the efficacy, recovery, and safety of RBCs from autologous placental blood (PB-RBCs) were investigated.


METHODS
A total of 52 newborns received transfusion with PB-RBCs. The number of newborns requiring no additional allogeneic RBCs was calculated. In 22 of these 52 neonates with a birth weight of 1000 to 2500 g, vital measures were performed during transfusion, and serum potassium levels were measured up to 3 days after transfusion. The results were compared with those of a matched control group given allogeneic RBC transfusions.


RESULTS
All neonates of the study group with a birth weight of less than 1000 g, but only 59 percent those with a birth weight of 1000 to 2500 g and 58 percent of those requiring surgery directly after delivery needed allogeneic transfusions in addition to PB-RBCs. The mean Hb increase after RBC transfusion of 10 mL per kg of body weight was 3 g per dL per kg of body weight in both groups; the Hb decrease was accelerated in the placental blood group (0.32 vs. 0.24 g/dL/day; p < 0.05). There were no intergroup differences in the vital parameters.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results show no difference in efficacy and safety between PB-RBC transfusion and allogeneic RBC transfusion. According to well-defined criteria, 40 percent of anemic neonates can be supported by autologous placental blood transfusions alone.
Brune
Thomas
T
University Children's Hospital, Magdeburg, Germany. thomas.brune@medizin.uni-magdeburg.de
Garritsen
Henk
H
Hentschel
Roland
R
Louwen
Frank
F
Harms
Erik
E
Jorch
Gerhard
G
D000751:Anemia, Neonatal / Q000628:therapy*; D001794:Blood Pressure; D001804:Blood Transfusion, Autologous / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D002469:Cell Separation / Q000379:methods*; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000166:cytology*; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D010920:Placenta / Q000098:blood supply*; D012119:Respiration; D016896:Treatment Outcome