Inappropriately Low Red Cell 2 , 3 - Diphosphoglycerate and p 50 in Transfused

The relationships among hemoglobin concentration (Hb). red cell 2.3-diphosphoglycerate (2,3-DPG), and p50 were studied in 20 chronically hypertransfused patients with thalassemia major. In the nontransfused control group. which included normal individuals as well as patients with sickle cell disease or iron deficiency anemia. the Hb correlated inversely with both 2.3-DPG concentration and p50. as is well established. In contrast. however, prior to transfusion, at the nadir of Hb, patients with thalassemia major had inappropriately low 2.3-DPG concentrations and pSOs. These findings occurred in all patients. regardless of whether they had received packed, leukocyte-poor, or frozen-thawed red cells. The hypothesis that the time of