Umbilical cord blood transfusion for preterm neonates: A literature review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37800/RM.3.2025.564Keywords:
cord blood transfusion, preterm infants, autologous transfusion, allogeneic transfusion, risks, benefitsAbstract
Relevance: Premature infants, especially those with low birth weight, often suffer from anemia of prematurity (AOP), a condition that can negatively impact growth and neurodevelopment. Although red blood cell (RBC) transfusions are widely used to treat AOP, they carry significant risks, including infections, immunological reactions, and iron overload. Cord blood (CB) has emerged as a promising alternative, offering a rich source of hematopoietic stem cells, red blood cells, and immunomodulatory factors.
This review aimed to examine current views on cord blood transfusion in preterm infants and assess its physiological benefits, logistical and ethical aspects, and clinical outcomes to inform subsequent implementation in the clinical transfusion practice of neonatology departments in Kazakhstan.
Methods: A literature search was conducted in PubMed and Google Scholar from 2015 to 2024 using the following keywords: “cord blood”; “preterm infants”; “autologous transfusion” and “allogeneic transfusion”. After a two-stage selection, 26 articles were accepted for analysis and critically appraised by the authors.
Results: CB is a safe and compatible transfusion component for preterm infants, with physiological advantages due to its high fetal hemoglobin (HbF) content and regenerative components. CB RBC reduces the risk of severe retinopathy of prematurity and improves oxygen delivery, neurodevelopment, and overall outcomes in preterm infants compared with adult blood transfusions.
Conclusion: As an autologous blood source, CB has the advantage of reducing the transfusion-related risks typically associated with allogeneic blood products, making it a potentially safer option for treating anemia of prematurity and enhancing neonatal immune function.
As neonatal care continues to advance, PC transfusion may improve survival rates and overall quality of life in preterm infants, potentially redefining transfusion practices for this vulnerable population.
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