We studied the effect of packed red cell transfusions on serum potassium levels in sick newborn infants. In 11 transfusions the infants' serum potassium levels fell from a mean of 5.1 +/- 1.2 mEq per 1 (SD) to 4.9 +/- 1.2 mEq per 1 within 1 hour of the transfusion. Plasma potassium in stored packed red cells rose markedly within 48 hours of drawing. In spite of this, the transfusion of 10 ml per kg of packed red cells did not affect the serum potassium concentration in the newborn infant.

Blood Preservation↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Validity of testing alanine aminotransferase in refrigerated whole blood.

Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) was tested in the sera and plasma of in-line segments as well as the main bags of whole blood units collected from blood donors. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the stability of enzyme activity during blood storage when the analysis of ALT is postponed over weekends or holidays. In addition, when validation of a particular result is requested, an in-line segment may be convenient for confirmatory testing. While a dilutional effect was found, the anticoagulant in the main collection bag was not shown to have affected enzyme activity. During storage the mean enzyme concentration decreased. Appropriate plasma ALT cutoffs for respective time periods during storage were calculated to compensate for downward drift. This correction prevented the use of the blood units (40% of total) that would erroneously have appeared transfusable if the serum cutoff had been used. If the Day 0 plasma cutoff was used throughout the total storage time period, 14 percent of the blood would erroneously have appeared transfusable.

Aspartate Aminotransferases↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Frozen deglycerolyzed blood prevents transfusion-acquired cytomegalovirus infections in neonates.

Frozen deglycerolyzed blood (FDB) was used for routine transfusions to 63 low birth weight newborns (less than or equal to 1500 g) over a 12-month period in an effort to decrease transfusion-acquired cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections. Nine of the 63 infants also received nonfrozen blood products (platelets, liquid blood). Seventy-two percent of the donor blood units were CMV-seropositive. Urine cultures and serum titers for anti-CMV antibody (immunoglobulins G and M) were obtained prior to the initial transfusion and sequentially throughout the study. No infant (0 of 54) who received only FDB acquired CMV, whereas 3 of 9 infants (33%) who received non-frozen blood and FDB acquired CMV, as evidenced by CMV viruria and/or a 4-fold rise in immunoglobulin G anti-CMV antibody titers. These results suggest that transfusions with frozen deglycerolyzed blood decrease the risk in low birth weight infants of acquiring CMV, regardless of the CMV serologic status of the donor.

Antibodies, Viral↗