ABO-incompatible pediatric bone marrow transplantation: a simple method to remove red blood cells from small volume...

A simple and reliable technique for removal of ABO incompatible marrow red cells is described. This method requires a blood cell processor and third party red cells are used as a shelf. Using this technique, nine children age 0.5-11.5 years received allogeneic bone marrow transplantation from ABO incompatible donors. A median of 4.8 ml of incompatible red cells were transfused. There was no evidence of a hemolytic transfusion reaction in any patient. A median of 75% of nucleated marrow cells were recovered and used for transplantation. Engraftment occurred at the same time as with ABO compatible transplants. Autologous marrow red cells were reinfused into four young donors. This 'shelf' technique for red cell depletion is an acceptable method for processing small volume, ABO incompatible marrow harvests from pediatric donors.