Rules for Donating Plasma

Plasma is one of several components of blood. It is 90 percent water, and the white and red blood cells are suspended in it. Plasma is the largest component of human blood, accounting for 55 percent of blood's volume. It is also the only liquid component of blood, therefore it is critical in allowing blood to circulate throughout the body. Donated plasma has many medical uses. It is frequently used in plasma protein therapies to treat people with a variety of medical conditions, including hemophilia, autoimmune and neurological disorders, liver conditions, Rh incompatibility and hepatitis.

Basic Requirements

• In the United States, people who donate plasma must be at least 18 years old. The weight requirement for donation is 110 pounds. People who weigh less cannot safely donate plasma.

Screenings

• People who wish to donate plasma must pass a series of medical screenings and tests. Potential donors are screened for certain viruses that can be transmitted through donated plasma and also submit to extensive screening of their medical history. In the United States and many European countries, plasma donors must also undergo a physical and other routine screening tests, such as blood tests and a urinalysis, before being accepted as a donor.

Diet

• Plasma donors typically need to follow protein-rich diets to make sure they get enough protein for plasma production. A donor's protein level is checked before each donation. It is generally recommended that plasma donors consume between 50 and 80 grams of protein each day. Good sources of protein include fish, lean red meat, poultry, eggs, cheese and legumes.

Frequency

• The body replaces plasma quite quickly, so plasma donations can be done more frequently than whole-blood donations. Current U.S. guidelines allow plasma donors to donate two times in each seven-day period, but there must be at least 48 hours between donations. Individual plasma donation centers may have different guidelines, however.

Compensation

• Donated plasma is essential for many medical therapies and treatments, and each plasma donation can take up to two hours. For these reasons, plasma donors are sometimes compensated. Each donation center has its own rules and guidelines for compensation, however.