WHAT ARE NEOCYTES? HOW THESE BABY RBCs SAVE LIVES

Neocytes are the young RBCs .Some patients need lifelong blood transfusion which is needed frequently. In such cases the use of Neocytes come into picture.e.g Beta thalasemia patients lifelong transfusion support in order to maintain Hemoglobin level of 10-12 gm/dl so that these patients can survive.The concept of transfusion of young RBCs was first introduced in 1980.

Repeated PRBC transfusion in such patients ensures active life, adequate growth, proper bone development and prevents I’ll effects of chronic anemia. Chronic transfusion in such patients increases lifespan of Beta thalasemia major patients by correcting anemia.

DISADVANTAGES OF TRANSFUSION OF PRBC WHEN COMPARED TO NEOCYTE TRANSFUSION

1. Whenever such patients are transfused with PRBC unit, it is worth noting that each unit of PRBC add an extra load of 200-250 gms.

2. Also frequent transfusion may also have high risk of TTIs (transfusion transmitted infections) even with the latest tests like ELISA 4 generation or Nucleic acid amplification tests available at our disposal because of window period of TTIs.

BENEFITS OF NEOCYTE TRANSFUSION

The benefits of neocyte transfusion are:

1. Reduction in the number of transfusion.

2. Extension of transfusion interval

3. Reduction of incidences of transfusion hazards like fever, TRALI( Transfusion related acute lung injury), TACO ( transfusion associated cardiac overload), allergies etc.

4. Reduction of iron overload in patients leading to pathological conditions like Siderosis and Haemosiderosis.

5. Lifespan of neocyte after transfusion in the body of a recipient is 90 days in comparison to the lifespan of RBC from regular PRBC unit which is on 56-60 days.

So, Neocyte Transfusion is beneficial especially for young patients with severe chronic anemia or even adults with Chronic anemia who require repeated blood transfusion throughout their lives.

The main goal of neocyte transfusion is reduction in the number of the required transfusion by extending the transfusion interval to prevent the occurrence of transfusion related hazards and iron overload along with its sequela.

TECHNIQUE FOR PREPARATION OF NEOCYTES

1. By Apheresis technique: Neocyte can be prepared by Apheresis machine, a method known as Neocytapheresis. Neocytes are collected based on the principle that these young RBCs are larger and less dense that the old RBCs.Hence they have specific gravity which is lesser than the old RBCs.

2. By Centrifugation method: A unit of Whole Blood is centrifuged which is followed by selective removal of the top 50-60% volume of PRBC is done , taking into account that Neocytes are larger and more bouyant than older RBCs . However it must be noted that whole blood used for collection of Neocytes must be freshly collected (within 6 hours).

The conventional PRBC units contains both the Neocytes as well as gerocytes(old RBCs) which ranges from 1 day old to 120 days old.

The half life of neocyte inside the recipient’s body is twice that of a conventional RBC.