Reflections on methodical approaches to hematopoietic stem cell collection in children

Pediatric peripheral blood stem cell collection (PBSC) is challenging because it has potentially more side effects than in adults due to the small body mass and unique physiology of children. The extracorporeal volume of the cell separator device, poor venous access and metabolic complications due to citrate toxicity are the main problems to face during PBSC collection. These aspects are more relevant in very low body weight (BW) children of 20 kg or lower. An efficient, experienced and well-prepared team of pediatricians, apheresis physicians and nurses, and physicians involved in CVC positioning is crucial to performing a safe PBSC collection. Despite the growing demand for PBSC collection in the pediatric setting, there is not an actual unique standardized detailed practice approach to be employed, therefore, on reflection, we believe that it is timely to draw up useful evidence-based recommendations on which guidelines can be developed for use by those groups with limited or no experience.