title: Processing cord blood from premature infants into autologous red-blood-cell products for transfusion.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The use of umbilical cord blood (UCB) for transfusion purposes has gained interest the past years. UCB transfusion could serve premature infants, who often need transfusions early in life.
  
  
  METHODS
  We investigated the suitability of different storage media. UCB was collected after 25 0/7--35 6/7 gestational weeks and centrifuged to concentrate red cells subsequently stored in saline-adenine-glucose-mannitol (SAGM), or in additive solution-3 (AS-3), or stored as whole blood in citrate-phosphate-dextrose-adenine-1. Quality parameters were measured at 7 day intervals during 35 days and compared to the standard RBC product.
  
  
  RESULTS
  White-blood-cell- and platelet counts were higher in the UCB products. In the fractionated units, haemolysis remained below 1·0% in 64% after 14 days, and in 30% after 21 days. Storage in SAGM or AS-3 showed similar quality. Whole blood UCB showed better pH and haemolysis rates after 21 days.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  UCB can be processed into autologous products for premature infants. Shelf-life is limited to 14-21 days and compares unfavourably to stored whole blood. Considering the early transfusion needs in these infants, a short shelf-life would not be a practical objection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Research and Development, Sanquin Blood Bank, Plesmanlaan 1a, Leiden, the Netherlands. c.khodabux@sanquin.nl
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Khodabux
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: van Beckhoven
authors.forename: J G M
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Scharenberg
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: El Barjiji
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Slot
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Brand
mesh_terms: D000225:Adenine / Q000494:pharmacology; D001781:Blood Component Removal / Q000379:methods*; D001793:Blood Preservation / Q000379:methods*; D001804:Blood Transfusion, Autologous; D002951:Citrates / Q000494:pharmacology; D017707:Erythrocyte Transfusion; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood; D005947:Glucose / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D008297:Male; D008353:Mannitol / Q000494:pharmacology; D010710:Phosphates / Q000494:pharmacology; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000494:pharmacology; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: C037839:ADSOL; C058647:AS-3 preservative solution; D002951:Citrates; D010710:Phosphates; D008353:Mannitol; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D005947:Glucose; D000225:Adenine