Minimal allogeneic donor exposure with the use of dedicated donors and a sterile connecting device in a newborn undergoing bone marrow transplantation

PURPOSE: Enhanced engraftment and reduced viral complications may be achieved in bone marrow transplantation (BMT) by limiting homologous transfusions. We report on limiting donor exposures before and after BMT in a newborn with severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) using dedicated whole blood and plateletpheresis donors as well as a sterile connecting device (SCD). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A 1-day-old neonate was admitted for an allogeneic, human leukocyte antigen-disparate, T-cell-depleted BMT performed on day 43 of hospitalization. All transfused red blood cells (RBCs) and platelets were cytomegalovirus negative, and were irradiated and leukodepleted (via a Pall filter). Using the SCD, tubing above the filter was connected to the product bag, and the distal tubing was connected to a transfer pack for collection of the filtered product. Additional transfer packs were connected to the filtered product using the SCD to separate small aliquots as needed. RBC aliquots were irradiated individually before each transfusion. RESULTS: During a total of 134 days of hospitalization, only four donor exposures occurred. Eleven RBC transfusions (mean volume 46.4 +/- 12.6 ml) from three donors and five plateletpheresis transfusions (mean volume 74.2 +/- 7.5 ml) from one donor constituted all the patients' transfusion requirements. Evidence of engraftment was seen on day 18 post-BMT with an absolute neutrophil count sustained at > 500 cells/mm3. The last transfusion was received on day 35 post-BMT. CONCLUSIONS: Current blood transfusion technology enables patients undergoing bone marrow transplantation to have limited donor exposures. This practice should decrease viral complications without effecting bone marrow engraftment.