Storage of Placental Blood - A Feasibility Study for Development of a Fetal Blood Bank.

Objective: Neonates transfused with adult donor blood (rich in HbA) have a precipitous drop in fetal hemoglobin (HbF) levels. This study evaluates the feasibility of collection and storage of placental cord blood.

Methods: Prospective study patients with uncomplicated term pregnancies undergoing scheduled cesarean section were recruited from July 2022 - December 2023. Cord blood was collected after delivery for processing and storage in our institutional blood bank. Samples were analyzed at 0, 7, 14, and 21 days.

Results: Thirty patients were recruited (55% Caucasian with median maternal age 34 years, gestational age 39 weeks, birth weight 3.48 kg). Median collection volume was 83 mL; 8 collections were excluded due to inadequate volume. The median hemolysis was 0.10% on Day 0 and 0.23% on Day 21 with median loss 2.5%. Median biochemical storage lesion at 21 days was within expectations (24.5 mmol/L potassium, 71.2 mg/dL free hemoglobin, pH 6.38, LDH 191 IU/L). All day 21 blood cultures were negative. Hemoglobin fractions remained unchanged between 0 and 21 days (16.2-17.8% HbA and 83.8-82.2% HbF).

Conclusion: Placental cord blood can be safely collected, processed, and stored for 21 days as a potential autologous blood product for neonates.

Type of study: Level II, Prospective Cohort; Keywords: Blood bank, fetal hemoglobin, neonatal transfusion.