Collection and preservation of human placental blood

High‐risk premature infants require red cell transfusions for anemia. Placental blood for autologous transfusions can be collected sterilely into citrate‐phosphate‐dextrose and stored at 4°C. During storage for 8 days, the placental red cell content of adenosine triphosphate remained normal. The 2,3,‐diphosphoglycerate concentration of cells stored 8 days declined sharply; however, the P50 value of the oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve declined to 24.4 ± 2.40 torr. During storage, placental blood underwent an exchange of extracellular Na⁺ and K⁺, but no change in glutathione content. Hemolysis was less than 1 percent. Bacteriologic and fungal cultures remained sterile. These in vitro studies suggest that human placental blood can be collected safely and preserved effectively for autologous red cell transfusion therapy. 1983 AABB