Plasma is the straw-colored liquid component of blood, comprising over half of its total volume. It is collected through a process called plasmapheresis, where whole blood is drawn, the plasma is separated, and the remaining blood cells are returned to the donor. The collected plasma is then used to manufacture life-saving therapeutics for patients with rare and chronic diseases, such as immune deficiencies or bleeding disorders. Eligibility for this process is governed by strict federal regulations from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and specific guidelines unique to each donation center.
The Minimum Age Requirement
The minimum age to donate plasma is almost universally eighteen years old across the United States. This requirement is primarily established by the FDA and is strictly enforced by plasma collection centers. The legal age of eighteen ensures that the donor is an adult capable of providing informed consent for a medical procedure, which is a foundational principle in healthcare ethics.
This age requirement is non-negotiable at most commercial plasma centers. To verify eligibility, every potential donor must present a current, valid, government-issued photo identification that clearly shows their date of birth. This documentation is essential for initial screening and subsequent donations, as the center must confirm the donor meets the minimum age requirement before starting the process.
Essential Physical Criteria Beyond Age
Beyond the age requirement, a donor must meet several physical criteria assessed at the time of each visit. The most common physical requirement is a minimum body weight of 110 pounds, or approximately 50 kilograms. This standard is in place to ensure the donor can safely tolerate the removal of the necessary volume of plasma without experiencing adverse effects. The amount of plasma collected is directly proportional to the donor’s body weight, safeguarding the donor’s overall blood volume.
During the screening, a medical professional will check the donor’s vital signs, which must fall within a narrow, healthy range. Blood pressure needs to be within a designated range, typically not too high or too low, to ensure safe circulation during the procedure. The pulse rate must be between 50 and 100 beats per minute, and body temperature is checked to confirm the donor is not running a fever, which could indicate an active infection.
Temporary and Permanent Health Exclusions
A thorough health screening, including a medical history interview and blood tests, determines if a potential donor faces any temporary or permanent exclusions. Many common conditions lead to temporary deferrals, meaning the donor must wait a specified period before returning.
For instance, individuals must wait after receiving a new tattoo or piercing, typically four months, to minimize the risk of transmitting bloodborne infections that may not be immediately detectable.
A temporary deferral can also occur for a recent cold, flu, or the use of certain antibiotics, and a donor must be symptom-free for a certain period before donation.
Permanent exclusions are reserved for conditions that pose a long-term risk to the donor or the plasma recipient. These include a history of certain chronic diseases, such as certain heart conditions, or a confirmed positive test for transmissible infections like HIV, Hepatitis B, or Hepatitis C. Individuals permanently deferred are entered into the National Donor Deferral Registry to maintain the safety of the plasma supply chain across all centers.