First results of a ferritin‐based blood donor deferral policy in the Netherlands

BACKGROUND: Whole blood donors are at risk of becoming iron deficient. To monitor iron stores, Sanquin implemented a new deferral policy based on ferritin levels, in addition to the traditional hemoglobin measurements. METHODS: Ferritin levels are determined in every fifth donation, as well as in all first‐time donors. Donors with ferritin levels <15 ng/mL (WHO threshold) are deferred for 12 months; those ≥15 and ≤30 ng/mL for 6 months. The first results were analyzed and are presented here. RESULTS: The results show that 25% of women (N = 20151, 95% CI 24%‐25%) and 1.6% of men (N = 10391, 95% CI 1.4%‐1.8%) have ferritin levels ≤30 ng/mL at their first blood center visit. For repeat (non‐first‐time) donors, these proportions are higher: 53% of women (N = 28329, 95% CI 52%‐54%) and 42% of men (N = 31089, 95% CI 41%‐43%). After a 6‐month deferral, in 88% of returning women (N = 3059, 95% CI 87%‐89%) and 99% of returning men (N = 3736, 95% CI 98%‐99%) ferritin levels were ≥15 ng/mL. After a 12‐month deferral, in 74% of returning women (N = 486, 95% CI 70%‐78%) and 95% of returning men (N = 479, 95% CI 94%‐97%) ferritin levels increased to ≥15 ng/mL. CONCLUSION: Deferral of donors whose pre‐donation ferritin levels were ≤30 ng/mL might prevent donors from returning with ferritin levels <15 ng/mL. This policy is promising to mitigate effects of repeated donations on iron stores.