Background: Irradiation leads to increased storage lesions that may have harmful effects if transfused. Various storage lesions research has been carried out, and only very few articles are available on the impact of gamma irradiation on RBC storage lesions. Since there has been no study about finding the best time for irradiation, we decided to investigate the effect of irradiation on red blood cells at different storage times after blood collection Materials and Methods: A total of 40 units of red blood cells divided into two groups, irradiated and nonirradiated. Irradiated RBCs were divided into three groups and each group containing ten units. The remaining ten units were considered as non-irradiated controls. Sampling from these irradiated and non-irradiated blood units was performed weekly to evaluate biochemical parameters and free plasma hemoglobin/Hemolysis index levels. Results: A significant increase in the mean values of plasma potassium, plasma Hb/Hemolysis index, and LDH, as well as a significant reduction in the mean value of 2, 3 DPG and plasma sodium, were observed in both groups. Although the reduction of 2, 3 DPG is extremely remarkable, it is compensated 24-48 hours after transfusion. Hence, the clinical result of 2, 3-DPG-depleted RBC transfusion is known to be negligible. The irradiation group alteration was more notable than the non-irradiated one and the changes in the parameters were most significant in the group having been stored for a longer period after irradiation. Conclusion: Our investigation on the impact of gamma irradiation on RBCs makes it possible to suggest a storage time up to 28 days after irradiation is permissible and the best time for irradiation after blood collection is up to 14 days. It is pointed out that the blood unit should be transfused as soon as possible after the irradiation.

Background: The screening of infants who need to be admitted immediately following birth but without application of invasive procedures is of prime importance.Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the value of nucleated red blood cells (nRBCs) count of cord blood in predicting the need for admission to NICU or neonatal ward.Methods: This was a case-control study performed on 100 live, newly born full-term infants (70 healthy infants and 30 infants admitted to NICU or neonatal ward) at Vali-e-Asr Hospital of Zanjan (Iran) in 2005. Umbilical cord blood was collected at delivery time to measure the nRBCs count.Data were collected through questionnaires and further analyzed by SPSS using chi square and Mann-Whitney Tests.Findings: The mean nRBCs counts in admitted neonates (case group) and healthy infants (control group) failed to show a statistically significant difference however, by omitting the cases for whom negative nRBCs counts were reported, a significant difference between two groups was observed.The number of abnormal nRBCs, the mean number of abnormal nRBCs, and the number of absolute abnormal nRBCs (nRBCs>1000) in cord blood of the case group were significantly higher than those in control group. The sensitivity and specificity of nRBCs count were 33.3% and 100%, respectively.Conclusion: Although the nRBCs count alone could not be considered as an ideal screening tool for those group of neonates with clinical complications however, it seems that the nRBCs count could be a helpful diagnostic parameter in predicting a need for admission.