AUTOLOGOUS BLOOD TRANSFUSION IN CHILDREN

Abstract

Autologous red cells were collected from five normal bone marrow donors aged 7-14 years (median, 10 years). Recombinant human erythropoietin was administered to four of the five donors to enhance hematopoiesis. The median volume of blood removed from the donors was 18.2ml/kg. Preoperative blood donation and retransfusion led to no significant complications. No donors required homologous blood transfusion. This technique is useful for marrow donors even in the pediatric age group.