The Status of the Korea Blood Inventory Monitoring System, 2009~2012 / 대한수혈학회지

BACKGROUND: In the Republic of Korea, due to the low birth rate, blood donation is expected to decrease. However, the demand for blood is increasing as the proportion of elderly has increased. Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention operate the Korea Blood Inventory Monitoring System (KBIMs) for detection and response to the shortage of blood. The aim of this study was to show the trend of blood supply monitored by KBIMs. METHODS: This study analyzed the red blood cell inventory ratio, average daily usage, time-lag from blood donation to transfusion and from receipt to transfusion in blood banks monitored by KBIMs from 2009 to 2012. RESULTS: A total of 25 hospitals have participated in KBIMs since 2009. The average inventory ratio of blood banks was 5.3 days. By month, the inventory ratio was highest between November and February; and by week, highest on Fridays. Daily amount of RBC utilized in hospitals peaked on Thursday by week. Time-lag from blood donation to transfusion and from receipt to transfusion in blood banks was 12.2 and 6.4 days, respectively. The inventory ratio of type-A RBC was the lowest, because of the highest level of demand. In addition, time-lags from blood donation to transfusion and from receipt to transfusion were shortest in type-A RBC. CONCLUSION: The inventory ratio in blood banks monitored by KBIMs was stable throughout the years. However, due to higher level of demand, there is a risk of shortage of type-A RBC.

Report on External Proficiency Testing for Blood Grouping Tests in Blood Centers (2011) / 대한수혈학회지

BACKGROUND: To ensure safety of blood transfusion, accuracy in performance of blood grouping tests (BGT) is essential. External proficiency testing (PT) for BGT has not been conducted in Korea. The first PT for BGT in domestic blood centers was conducted in order to evaluate the domestic status of accuracy of BGT in blood centers and to aid in improving the quality of blood centers. METHODS: Whole blood survey specimens consisting of three panels for ABO grouping and two panels for Rh typing were sent to 81 blood centers. Evaluation criteria for BGT were as follows: 'Good' for answers with 100% referee consensus, 'Acceptable' for correct answers other than those of the referee, and 'Unacceptable' for answers other than those of 'Good+acceptable' as correct answers. RESULTS: Rates of correct answers on three panels for ABO grouping were all 100%; however, that of cell typing for the panel with BW was 61.7%, and 31 blood centers incorrectly reported normal 'B' type as an answer. The rate of correct answers for the Rh negative panel was 100%; however, that for the weak D panel was 84%, and 13 blood centers incorrectly reported Rh negative type as an answer. CONCLUSION: Findings from this study demonstrated that some hospital blood centers were not able to correctly detect blood groups with weak antigens. Therefore, to improve the quality of blood centers, intensive education for blood center staff and continued PT for BGT should be required.

A Novel DHCR7 Mutation in a Smith-Lemli-Opitz Syndrome Infant Presenting with Neonatal Cholestasis

Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome (SLOS) is an autosomal recessive malformation syndrome caused by a defect in cholesterol biosynthesis. The incidence is very low in Asians and only one case has been reported in Korea thus far. Recently, we found an infant with neonatal cholestasis. He had microcephaly, ambiguous genitalia, cleft palate, syndactyly of toes, patent ductus arteriosus and hypertrophic pyloric stenosis. The serum cholesterol was decreased and serum 7-dehydrocholesterol was markedly elevated. Genetic analysis of the DHCR7 gene identified a novel missense mutation (Pro227Ser) as well as a known mutation (Gly303Arg) previously identified in a Japanese patient with SLOS. Although rare in Korea, SLOS should be considered in the differential diagnosis of neonatal cholestasis, especially in patients with multiple congenital anomalies and low serum cholesterol levels.