Effect of increasing hemoglobin cutoff in male donors and increasing interdonation interval in whole blood donors at a hospital-based blood donor center.
BACKGROUND
The NHANES-III survey found hemoglobin (Hb) concentrations of more than 13.5 g/dL and more than 12.0 g/dL in normal Caucasian males and females. In the United States, a Hb of least 12.5 g/dL is required for blood donation, which allows "anemic" males to donate while excluding "normal" females. Low Hb is the major cause of deferral in donors and deferrals are associated with decreased donor return rates. Additionally, frequent blood donations are associated with depletion of body iron stores. Analysis of the effect of various Hb cutoffs and interdonation intervals on our center's blood supply is presented.


METHODS
Whole blood donor data for a 12-month period were studied. Potential effects on the blood supply by increasing male Hb eligibility levels and/or increasing the interdonation interval were analyzed.


RESULTS
A total of 13,519 individuals (females, 56%) donated 30,678 units (mean frequency, male 2.7 and females 2.1) with the majority (42%) donating once. Increasing the male Hb eligibility to at least 13.5 g/dL will decrease collections by 1457 (5%) units. In addition, decreasing the female Hb eligibility to at least 12.0 g/dL will result in total gain of 307 (1%) units. Considering 12-week interdonation interval and Hb eligibility of at least 13.5 g/dL (male) and at least 12.5 g/dL (female) results in decrease of 11% (3352) units.


CONCLUSIONS
Increasing the Hb cutoff for male donors and/or interdonation interval for all donors will decrease available blood, some of which may be reduced by decreasing the Hb cutoff for females to at least 12.0 g/dL. As a majority of the donors donate only once with mean donation frequency being 2.4, it may be possible to overcome this shortfall by targeted recruitment of donors donating once.
Division of Transfusion Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota 55905, USA. Gandhi.manish@mayo.edu
Manish J
MJ
Gandhi
Kimberly
K
Duffy
Mary
M
Benike
Sarah
S
Jenkins
James R
JR
Stubbs
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000094902:Blood Banking / Q000379:methods; D001774:Blood Chemical Analysis / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D001782:Blood Donors / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000600:supply & distribution; D001800:Blood Specimen Collection / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis*; D006761:Hospitals / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012016:Reference Values; D012737:Sex Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult
D006454:Hemoglobins