COLLECTION AND 28-DAY STORAGE OF HUMAN PLACENTAL BLOOD

Placental blood was harvested using a novel collection system into pac ks containing citrate-phosphate-dextrose-adenine and then stored for 2 8 d. Before and during storage, sterility, adequacy of anticoagulation , blood chemistry, and red cell viability were assessed weekly. The av erage volume of blood collected was 65 mL (range 30-110 mL) with a 0.4 2 hemocrit once diluted in anticoagulant. All blood culture specimens were sterile at collection and during storage. Adequate anticoagulatio n (activated partial thromboplastin time > 90 s) on the day of collect ion was achieved in 15 specimens, all less than 65 mL of blood volume. Ten specimens, in blood volumes ranging from 65 to 110 mL, had mean a ctivated partial thromboplastin time values of 65.3 +/- 10.2 s. Activa ted partial thromboplastin time values for all 25 specimens at 1, 2, 3 , and 4 wk storage were > 90 s, presumably because of the decline in l abile clotting factors after 24 h of storage. Hematocrit, red cell ATP , and red cell shape were maintained during storage. As expected, red cell 2,3-diphosphoglycerate declined and potassium levels rose signifi cantly but were not different than levels reported for adult cells sim ilarly preserved. Based on our results, it appears that placental bloo d represents a potential source of autologous transfusion for the sick neonate over the first month of life.