A laboratory report on iron supplementation in blood donors. I.

Blood donation at the accepted frequency of one donation every 8 weeks is generally regarded as excessive for preservation of donor iron reserves, especially in women. A double-blind study was conducted of 627 individuals who had previously donated blood to determine the effect of iron supplementation on iron reserves. Half the donors received ferrous fumarate at a dosage of 66.6 mg elemental iron daily for 45 days. The other half received placebo. Eight blood variables reflecting the iron status of the donors were determined at the time of the initial donation and again 2 months later at the time of their second donation. Statistical analysis of the blood variables indicated that the prescribed amount of ferrous fumarate should be considered the minimal effective dose for maintenance of reduced iron storage in blood donors. However, the data are furnished for the analysis of panels of experts for any conclusions and recommendations concerning this study. Feostat, the iron supplement, was tolerated well by the participating donors. Gastrointestinal upset occurred in eight donors receiving Feostat and in 10 donors receiving placebo.

Donor and nondonor motivations.

In an attempt to gain insight into the motivations of blood donors and nondonors, two paper and pencil questionnaires were developed and mailed to approximately 7,000 individuals. In response, 1,429 nondonors and 200 donors completed and returned usable questionnaires. Among donors, awareness of the need for blood, altruism, and investment for the future (blood credit) were the chief motivating factors. Among nondonors the major deterrent was belief in medical disqualification. Of the 33 per cent who claimed medical disqualification, 40 per cent gave clearly invalid or questionable reasons. Fear, while a substantial factor among nondonors, was not as great a deterrent to blood donation as had been previously thought. A dimension focusing upon failure to confront the issue of donating was derived and found to equal or exceed fear in importance. The influence of such items as sex, age, number of donations, and number of children on reasons expressed was examined. The major results were compared with the findings of previous studies. An approach-avoidance model of blood donation was outlined, and implications for donor recruitment are discussed.

Clotting factors in supernatant plasma following cryoprecipitation.

The supernatant plasma which remains after cryoprecipitation is a useful component for transfusion therapy. However, from prior studies it was unclear how well plasma clotting factors were preserved following cryoprecipitation. Coagulation factor assays were performed on fresh plasma, supematant plasma after removal of cryoprecipitate, and the same supernatant plasma following refreezing and thawing. Factor VIII and fibrinogen levels fell considerably after removal of cryoprecipitate, but there was also a significant decline in factor V. Refreezing and thawing the supernatant plasma had little effect on clotting factors.