OBJECTIVETo evaluate the methods for collection of peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC) in children.

METHODSPeripheral blood stem cells were collected from 20 child patients and 11 donors. The patients treated with chemotherapy, received G-CSF or GM-CSF and the donors received G-CSF for mobilization. When the peripheral blood (PB) leukocyte count reached to 5 X10(9)/L,the hematopoietic stem cells were collected with CS-3000 Plus, COM TEC or COBE Spectra blood cell separators from patients and donors. For children whose weight <20 kg,HCT <24% or TBV <1 100-1 650 ml,blood cell separators were pre-injected with the same type RBCs irradiated by 25 Gy of gamma-ray and with low flow rate (10-30 ml/min). The number of CD34(+) cell was detected by flow cytometry. The relationship of number of CD34(+) cell with mononuclear cell (MNC) and processed blood volume was analyzed.

RESULTSSuccessful collection of the PBSCs with the CS- 3000 Plus (n=10), the COM TEC (n=3) and the COBE Spectra (n=18) was achieved in all the 31 cases with 1-5 aphereses used. Number of CD34(+) cells was (7.9 ±2.9) X 10(6)/kg and that of MNCs was (7.4 ±3.1) X 10(8)/kg. The total CD34(+) cell count was correlated with MNCs before aphaeresis and processed blood volume.

CONCLUSIONFor collection of high quality PBSCs, the appropriate methods should be chosen according to the body weight, TBV, mobilization of child patients/donors.