Plasma is the liquid portion of blood that carries vital nutrients through the body and contains important clotting capabilities. Donated plasma is used to treat patients with bleeding disorders, burns and during organ transplants. It also is used to treat premature infants. Not everyone can donate plasma. Those who can must follow certain criteria.
Background
Depending on the illness or injury, different patients require different kinds of blood components. The components are platelets, red cells and plasma. Platelets are numerous small cell fragments that contribute to the coagulation process. Red cells, the most common blood cells, carry oxygen throughout the body. Plasma transports the blood cells along with water, sodium, calcium, other nutrients and antibodies.
Most Adults Can Donate
The minimum age to donate plasma is 17 (this might vary depending on location; in some instances, a person younger than 18 might require parental/custodial consent). Donors must be in good health, weigh a minimum of 110 pounds and cannot have taken aspirin or medication containing aspirin within 48 hours of the donation. Blood type AB is the universal plasma type.
Screening Process
Pre-screening is required to obtain a medical history that remains private. The agency collecting the blood or plasma must learn if the donor has had seizures, treatment for substance abuse, recent surgery or any medical condition that requires medication or doctor's care. The donor must also identify if she has a tattoo, has had a tattoo removed or had any kind of body piercing.
Who Can't Donate
Women who have been pregnant or anyone who has received a transfusion cannot donate plasma (red cells and whole blood can be donated). The concern is to reduce the risk of a transfusion reaction (TRALI--ransfusion related acute lung injury) in the patient. TRALI is the leading cause of transfusion-related deaths. The cause is believed to be associated with certain antibodies that a person obtains during pregnancy or past transfusions.
The Process
Donating plasma is similar to donating whole blood. A needle is placed in the vein of an arm and blood is collected in sterile equipment. The red blood cells are separated from the plasma and returned to the donor.
Donation Frequency
The body of a healthy donor can quickly replace plasma, allowing for short intervals between donations. Current FDA regulations state that the maximum frequency of donation is once every two days and no more than two times during a seven-day period.
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