Personalizing Preterm Neonatal Transfusions With Fetal Hemoglobin-Enriched Cord Blood
200 participantsStarted 2026-11-01
Plain-language summary
Long-term morbidities among very low birth weight infants remain a significant challenge. Oxidative stress is a key factor in the pathogenesis of 'free radical (FR) diseases of prematurity,' including retinopathy of prematurity, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, necrotizing enterocolitis, and intraventricular hemorrhage. Red blood cell (RBC) transfusions are recognized as a contributing factor to FR-related diseases. RBCs contain adult hemoglobin (HbA), which has a lower affinity for oxygen. This characteristic increases oxygen delivery and tissue uptake, leading to a potentially harmful state of hyperoxia and over-generation of FRs. The strategy employs a multidisciplinary approach to evaluate the impact of cord blood transfusions in anemic newborns. Results will be assessed in relation to short- and long-term neonatal outcomes to determine the effectiveness of this new preventive strategy. Improving the current data are critical for setting action priorities for and monitoring progress
Who can participate
Age range
24 Weeks – 31 Weeks
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Preterm neonates born between 24+0 and 31+6 weeks of gestational age;
* Requirement for at least one red blood cell transfusion during hospitalization, according to current Italian transfusion thresholds;
* Written informed consent obtained from parents or legal guardians prior to any study procedure.
Exclusion Criteria:
* Gestational age \> 32+0 weeks;
* Pregnancy complicated by maternal-fetal alloimmunization (e.g., hemolytic disease of the newborn);
* Pregnancy complicated by fetal hydrops;
* Major congenital anomalies or genetic syndromes;
* Previous red blood cell transfusions (prior to enrollment);
* Perinatal hemorrhage at delivery;
* Documented congenital infections (TORCH).
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Incidence of free radical-related morbidities in preterm neonates receiving CB-RBC transfusions
Timeframe: From birth until hospital discharge or 36 weeks postmenstrual age