7.7: Components suitable for use in Intrauterine Transfusion, Neonates and Infants under 1 year
General requirements
Unless they are subjected to a validated pathogen inactivation process, components for use in intrauterine transfusion, neonates and infants under 1 year must be prepared from previously tested donors who fulfil the following criteria:
have given at least one donation in the last 2 years, which was either negative for all mandatory markers, or if repeat reactive, has been confirmed to be non-specifically reactive and the donor reinstated in accordance with section 9.4, Reinstatement of blood donors
negative results were obtained for mandatory microbiology markers with the current donation.
Red cell and platelet components should be negative for CMV antibodies although leucodepleted components may be used if CMV antibody negative components are not available.
Components should be tested and shown to be free of clinically significant, irregular blood group antibodies including high-titre anti-A and anti-B.
It is good practice to provide neonates, who are likely to be repeatedly transfused, with components in which the original donation has been split, thereby providing the potential to reduce donor exposures in this vulnerable group of recipients.
When a component is to be split for neonatal use, the original pack must first be mixed thoroughly by a validated procedure to ensure that the contents are homogeneous.
When a component is split for neonatal use, it is sufficient to undertake leucocyte counting on the parent pack or process.
When a component is split for neonatal use, each ‘split’ must be identified by a unique number to ensure all splits can be accounted for.