[The use of a mixture of citrated erythrocytes and heparin plasma for exchange transfusions].

In 1985 a mixture of red cells collected in citrate anticoagulant with plasma derived from heparinized blood was introduced in Amsterdam to perform exchange transfusions in newborns. This heparin mixture has physiological levels of electrolytes, calcium and glucose, can be delivered on short notice and carries a minimal risk of transmission of infectious diseases because all blood components are tested for hepatitis B antigen and antibodies against syphilis and the human immunodeficiency virus. Retrospectively we evaluated 54 children treated in 1986 and 1987 with exchange transfusions using this heparin mixture. An adequate decrease in bilirubin values when necessary was observed while neither changes in sodium, potassium, calcium or glucose values nor adverse effects on the pH value were recorded. However, a remarkable transient thrombocytopenia was found following exchange transfusion with a decrease of the platelet count to an average of 39% of the initial value.