Risk factors for deferral due to low hematocrit and iron depletion among prospective blood donors in a Brazilian center

Abstract

ObjectiveDeferral of blood donors due to low hematocrit and iron depletion is commonly reported in blood banks worldwide. This study evaluated the risk factors for low hematocrit and iron depletion among prospective blood donors in a large Brazilian blood center.MethodA case–control study of 400 deferred donors due to low hematocrit and 456 eligible whole blood donors was conducted between 2009 and 2011. Participants were interviewed about selected risk factors for anemia, and additional laboratory tests, including serum ferritin, were performed. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed to assess the association between predictors and deferral due to low hematocrit in the studied population and iron depletion in women.ResultsDonors taking aspirins or iron supplementation, those who reported stomachache, black tarry stools or hematochezia, and women having more than one menstrual period/month were more likely to be deferred. Risk factors for iron depletion were repeat donation and being deferred at the hematocrit screening. Smoking and lack of menstruation were protective against iron depletion.ConclusionThis study found some unusual risk factors related to gastrointestinal losses that were associated with deferral of donors due to low hematocrit. Knowledge of the risk factors can help blood banks design algorithms to improve donor notification and referral.

The impact of analytical variation of hemoglobin measurement on blood donors' hemoglobin and deferral rates

“…It is well known that factors other than those included in this study are linked to Hb levels and blood donor deferral rates, such as smoking habits, body weight, and iron supplementation . However, the three factors examined in this study have a predictive capacity as high as 40%.…”

“…Strict threshold values ignore many physiologic phenomena and technical aspects that affect Hb values and deferral rates. These factors include the age, ethnicity, smoking status, and body weight of the donor; the effect of the season and the time of day; methodologic variables; and sample type (venous or capillary blood) …”

Epidemiology of viral hepatitis in the Republic of Congo: review

“…The key problem with this explanation is that generally, blood donors are male [ 52 ] and there are multiple restrictions for blood donation by women [ 53 ], which are linked either to breastfeeding [ 54 , 55 ], menstruation [ 56 ] or pregnancy [ 57 ].…”

Insight into donor deferral pattern based on peripheral blood counts: An experience from South Pakistan

“…[ 1 ] Worldwide, anemia affects 1.62 billion individuals, which is estimated to be ~25% of the world population. [ 2 ] Globally, around 10% of blood donors are deferred owing to low hemoglobin on predonation assessment. [ 3 4 5 ] Similarly, in the United States, approximately 10% of all attempted blood donors are deferred due to low hematocrit.…”