The in vitro quality of small-volume platelet (PLT) aliquots for pediatric transfusions was assessed to determine the best practice approach. Small volumes (50 mL) of single apheresis PLT components (APCs), collected on either CaridianBCT Trima or Haemonetics MCS+ instruments, were aliquoted on Days 2, 3, 4, and 5 postcollection into Fenwal PL1240 or 4R2014 bags or 60-mL polypropylene syringes. Samples were tested for in vitro quality at their recommended expiry times (4 hr for 4R2014 bags and syringes or Day 5 for PL1240 bags). Assays included pH, CD62P expression, and metabolic measures. CD62P expression increased throughout storage in all containers. Among the small-volume containers, pH, pCO(2) , lactate, and bicarbonate varied considerably. Regardless of the day of aliquoting, pCO(2) was significantly higher and pO(2) was significantly lower in gas-impermeable syringes than other containers. No bacterial growth was detected in any sample. The quality of APCs aliquoted into small-volume containers meets regulatory requirements and is generally equivalent to that of full-volume APCs at expiry.