Storage of Placental Blood - A Feasibility Study for Development of a Fetal Blood Bank

Neonates transfused with adult donor blood (rich in HbA) have a precipitous drop in fetal hemoglobin (HbF) levels. This study evaluates the feasibility of collection and storage of placental cord blood.

Prospective study patients with uncomplicated term pregnancies undergoing scheduled cesarean section were recruited from July 2022-December 2023. Cord blood was collected after delivery for processing and storage in our institutional blood bank. Samples were analyzed at 0, 7, 14, and 21 days.

Thirty patients were recruited (55 % Caucasian with median maternal age 34 years, gestational age 39 weeks, birth weight 3.48 kg). Median collection volume was 83 mL; 8 collections were excluded due to inadequate volume. The median hemolysis was 0.10 % on Day 0 and 0.23 % on Day 21 with median loss 2.5 %. Median biochemical storage lesion at 21 days was within expectations (24.5 mmol/L potassium, 71.2 mg/dL free hemoglobin, pH 6.38, LDH 191 IU/L). All day 21 blood cultures were negative. Hemoglobin fractions remained unchanged between 0 and 21 days (16.2-17.8 % HbA and 83.8-82.2 % HbF).

Placental cord blood can be safely collected, processed, and stored for 21 days as a potential autologous blood product for neonates.

Level II, Prospective Cohort.