Using umbilical cord blood as a source of paediatric packed red blood cells: Processing and quality control.

UCB can be processed into RBC based on either manual or automated protocols. U-RBC units met the referenced quality parameters defined for A-RBC. Some features, mainly the biochemical ones, should be further investigated to help improve quality parameters, with emphasis on differences found in, and particularities of, this material and on recipients of this new transfusion practice.