Efficacy, recovery, and safety of RBCs from autologous placental blood: clinical experience in 52 newborns.

Another optimistic article about the use of autologous placental blood in order to reduce exposure to allogeneic donor blood. A benefit was observed in almost 60% of neonates with a birth weight of 1000 to 2500 g and in those requiring surgery, but not in the very premature neonates (< 1000 g). No adverse effects could be found, the efficacy was equal to allogeneic blood. However, before delivery of blood bacterial contamination had to be excluded. Unfortunately, no data are given about bacterial growth although blood units were administered after storage of about 3 weeks. – Volker Kretschmer