Peripheral blood stem cell collection in children: Management, techniques and safety

Peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) collection as a source of haematopoietic stem cells is steadily increasing. The collection procedure in children is more difficult than in adults because of the low blood volume and the poor venous access. Special apheresis equipment has been developed for paediatric PBSC collections to reduce the extracorporeal volume thereby avoiding circulatory side effects. Priming of the disposable with red blood cells and/or human albumin is recommended for children weighing less than 30kg. Poor venous access usually requires a special paediatric catheter to allow for a blood flow that results in the formation of a cell layer for the collection of PBSC. An optimal time point with a maximum peak of CD34+ cells should be chosen for the harvesting of PBSC to reduce the duration of the apheresis and possible side effects.