Blood Donors with Thalassemic Trait, Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency Trait, and Sickle Cell Trait and Their Blood Products: Current Status and Future Perspective

Abstract

The use of blood products for different medical purposes has increased in recent years. To meet increasing demand, some blood centers allow volunteer donors with thalassemic trait, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (G6PD) trait, and sickle cell trait (SCT) to donate blood if their hemoglobin values fall within acceptable ranges and show no signs of hemolysis. Currently, there are no standard guidelines or policies regarding the use or management of blood products obtained from these donors. However, in recent years, there has been advanced research on eligible donors who have these underlying conditions. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge from in vitro and in vivo studies regarding donor characteristics, changes in physical and biochemical parameters in blood products during processing and storage, and posttransfusion efficacy of blood products. In addition, we discuss some unresolved issues concerning blood products from thalassemic trait, G6PD-deficiency trait, and SCT donors.