Principle:

HMC Blood Donor Center used platelets (buffy coat pools) and/or apheresis-derived suspended in PAS (platelet additive solution).  In each platelet pool or apheresis platelet, less than 35 ml (average < 20%) of the original plasma. This was much less than would remain if volume-reduced platelets had been prepared by centrifugation. Furthermore, the platelets would NOT be traumatized by the centrifugation.

Policy:

1. For neonates (< 4 months old) and infants (<20 kg), we will give preference to use plasma-compatible platelet and plasma type.
2. In any case, PAS-suspended platelets will be used with little residual plasma (far less than if we had centrifuged them).
3. In the rare event that plasma-compatible platelet types are not available, the transfusion medicine physician must approve the release.

References:

1. Standards for Blood Banks and Transfusion Services, Current Edition, AABB, Bethesda, MD, USA
2. Guide to the Preparation, Use, and Quality Assurance of Blood Components, European Committee (Partial Agreement) on Blood Transfusion, Council of Europe, Strasbourg, France