Analysis of characteristics and quality control strategies for excessively heavy red blood cell products (suspected polycythemia)
10.13303/j.cjbt.issn.1004-549x.2026.08.020
- VernacularTitle:红细胞产品重量超量（可疑红细胞增多）的特征分析及质量控制对策
- Author:
Mi HE
1
;
Jiahui ZHANG
1
;
Jianxia LIN
1
;
Xiaolan HE
1
;
Limei WANG
1
Author Information
1. Fujian Blood Center, Fuzhou 350004, China
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
red blood cell products;
overweight;
hemoglobin;
high-altitude exposure history;
quality control;
donor screening
- From:
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion
2026;39(8):1130-1135
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective: To analyze population distribution characteristics, routine blood parameters, and independent influencing factors of elevated hemoglobin in overweight red blood cell (RBC) products (suspected polycythemia), and to provide evidence for optimizing pre-donor screening and improving component quality and clinical transfusion safety. Methods: A total of 82 overweight RBC product cases verified by the quality control department from 2021 to 2025 were retrospectively enrolled. Product information, donor demographic data and blood disposal outcomes were statistically described. Correlation analysis and multiple linear regression were performed on 55 samples with complete routine blood test data. Results: Overweight products were mainly leukocyte-filtered suspended red blood cells (70.73%), with 2 U specifications accounting for 56.10%. Most donors were young and middle-aged males (96.34% male, 87.80% aged 18-49 years). Hb, RBC count and Hct in the overweight group were significantly higher than those in the control group (all P<0.001), with strong correlations among the three indicators. History of high-altitude exposure was an independent risk factor for elevated Hb (B=14.517, P=0.020). Higher Hb level was associated with higher discard rates of blood products for clinical use. Conclusion: Overweight RBC products result from synchronous abnormal elevation of Hb, RBC count and Hct among donors. Young and middle-aged males and those with a history high-altitude exposure are high-risk populations. Current donor screening only sets the lower limit of Hb without unified upper limits for RBC-related parameters. Incorporating upper-limit screening for Hb/Hct and standardized inquiry for high-altitude exposure to routine pre-donation assessment may reduce overweight events of RBC products, decrease blood discard rates and enhance transfusion safety. It also offers practical in-sights for implementing the 2026 edition of the Technical Operating Procedures for Blood Stations.
