title: Pediatric apheresis with a novel apheresis device with electronic interface control.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cancer in children, and specifically cancer requiring autologous stem cell transplantation, is rare. As a consequence, though, experience with pediatric stem cell apheresis collections is limited. Challenges of apheresis in small children (<20 kg) include small total blood volume, issues with venous access, concerns about tolerable anticoagulant doses, and limitations in product volumes that can safely be collected.
  
  
  METHODS
  This article presents a small series of autologous "stem cell" apheresis procedures in infants and toddlers weighing between 5.5 and 20 kg, the first ones performed with a novel leukapheresis device (Spectra Optia MNC v.3.0, Terumo BCT) to be reported. Some features of the system are described that can be used to achieve favorable apheresis outcomes in small children.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Apheresis procedures were uneventful and successful with similar extraction efficiencies (median preapheresis collection efficiency [CE2], 36%) as in adult patients. At 58%, platelet attrition was considerable.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our data indicate that stem cell apheresis with the Spectra Optia MNC v.3.0 in very small donors is feasible, safe, and associated with very small product volumes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Division of Stem Cell Transplantation and Immunology, the German Red Cross Blood Service Baden-Württemberg-Hesse, and the Institute for Transfusion Medicine and Immunohematology, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany.
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sörensen
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jarisch
authors.forename: Carmelo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Smorta
authors.forename: Ulrike
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Köhl
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bader
authors.forename: Erhard
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Seifried
authors.forename: Halvard
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bönig
mesh_terms: D018952:Antigens, CD34 / Q000378:metabolism; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D019650:Hematopoietic Stem Cell Mobilization; D006412:Hematopoietic Stem Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007937:Leukapheresis / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care
chemical_list: D018952:Antigens, CD34