BACKGROUND: Peripheral stem cell collections can be challenging in the pediatric population and respective experience is limited. Since February 2015 our institution is utilizing the new Spectra Optia (Optia) apheresis device, which has replaced the former COBE Spectra (COBE) device. As a quality initiative we collected and compared collection efficiency (CE2) and other collection variables between the two devices. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS:In this retrospective study we collected and compared clinical, laboratory, and technical collection data from stem cell collection procedures done with the Optia and COBE devices. The collected data included patient demographics, precollection peripheral CD341 cell counts, total CD341 cells collected, complete blood count, electrolytes before and after collection, side effects attributed to the collection, total blood volumes processed (TBVs), collection times, and calculated CE2 and collection ratios.RESULTS: Forty-one collection procedures performed on 29 pediatric patients with the Optia device were compared to 41 collections performed on 27 patients with the COBE device. The TBVs through the Optia device were significantly smaller than the COBE (3.9 6 0.2 3 TBV vs. 5.5 6 0.1 3 TBV, respectively; p < 0.001), requiring significantly less anticoagulant and providing similar amounts of stem cells while collection times were significantly shorter (mean, 238 6 9 min vs. 264 6 9 min, respectively; p < 0.05). Collections on the Optia caused significantly smaller reductions of plasma calcium and magnesium. No significant side effects attributed to the procedure were noted.CONCLUSION: Stem cell apheresis with the Optia device in children is safe and feasible with smaller blood volumes with shorter collection times.A utologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) is an integral part of the treatment of various pediatric cancers including high-risk neuroblastoma, various brain tumors, retinoblastoma, bone and soft tissue sarcomas, and lymphomas.1-5 The initial part of the ASCT process requires collection of stem cells, which can be challenging in the pediatric population, especially for low-weight patients such as babies and toddlers, who are more prone to hemodynamic influences of fluid shifts due to the circulating blood volumes and to the exposure to anticoagulants and who may have more difficulty with the prolonged duration of the collection procedure.6-8Our medical center performs approximately 50 ASCTs per year for pediatric patients. In February 2015 our institution introduced the novel Spectra Optia MNC (Optia) apheresis device for the collection of mobilized peripheral stem cells, which has eventually replaced the former COBE Spectra (COBE) device (both from TerumoBCT).Both devices use centrifugation for blood separation, but have some major mechanical differences. The Optia ABBREVIATIONS: ASCT(s) 5 autologous stem cell transplantation(s); BW 5 body weight; CR(s) 5 collection ratio(s); iCa 5 ionized calcium; TBV(s) 5 total blood volume(s) processed. device has a more advanced au...