MedPath

umBilical Or Adult Donor Red Blood Cells in Extremely Low Gestational Age Neonates and Retinopathy of Prematurity (BORN)

Phase 2
Completed
Conditions
Retinopathy of Prematurity
Interventions
Biological: adult donor RBC concentrates
Biological: cord blood-RBC concentrates
Registration Number
NCT05100212
Lead Sponsor
Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS
Brief Summary

Extremely low gestational age neonates (ELGAN, i.e., born before 28 gestation weeks) are among the most heavily transfused pediatric patients. In this clinical setting, repeated red blood cell (RBC) transfusions independently predict a poor outcome, with a higher risk for mortality and morbidity. Recent studies from our own and other groups highlighted a close association between low levels of fetal hemoglobin (HbF) and severity of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), two disabilities that frequently complicate preterm birth. This association is not surprising, considering that 1) preterm neonates have a highly immature antioxidant reserve and both ROP and BPD rely on the oxidative damage as underlying mechanism; 2) in comparison with HbA, HbF is endowed with higher oxygen affinity, greater redox potential, higher tetrameric stability, and higher ability to generate unbound nitric oxide, all functions potentially protective in presence of an oxidative challenge; 3) in normal prenatal life, developing organ and tissues are exposed exclusively to HbF until last weeks of gestation; 4) in preterm neonates, the switch of the synthesis from HbF to HbA occurs around their due date, i.e., several weeks after the premature birth; 5) when preterm neonates receive transfusions, their tissues are abruptly exposed to high levels of HbA. We have recently run a pilot trial demonstrating as a proof-of-concept that transfusing cord blood red blood cell concentrates (CB-RBC) effectively prevents or restrains the HbF loss consequent to adult donor standard transfusions (A-RBC). This study explores the hypothesis that transfusing CB-RBCs instead of A-RBC may lower the incidence of severe ROP in ELGANs needing transfusions.

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
146
Inclusion Criteria
  • gestational age (GA) at birth between 24+0 and 27+6 weeks
  • signed informed consent of parents.
Exclusion Criteria

One or more of the following:

  • maternal-fetal immunization
  • hydrops fetalis
  • major congenital malformations associated or not with genetic syndromes
  • previous transfusions
  • hemorrhage at birth
  • congenital infections
  • health care team deeming it inappropriate to approach the infant's family for informed consent.

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Adult-RBC transfusionsadult donor RBC concentratesAdult-red blood cell concentrate transfusions
CB-RBC transfusionscord blood-RBC concentratesCord blood-red blood cell concentrate transfusions
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Retinopathy of prematurityup to the age of 40 weeks

Incidence of severe ROP (stage 3 and higher) in CB-RBC and A-RBC arms

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod

Trial Locations

Locations (10)

Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Careggi

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡น

Firenze, Italy

Ospedale Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo,

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡น

Foggia, Italy

Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡น

Milan, Italy

Ospedale Evangelico Villa Betania

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡น

Naples, Italy

AORN Santobono-Pausilipon

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡น

Napoli, Italy

Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico S. Matteo

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡น

Pavia, Italy

Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Pisana

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡น

Pisa, Italy

Azienda Ospedaliera Bianchi Melacrino Morelli

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡น

Reggio Calabria, Italy

Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A.Gemelli IRCCS

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡น

Rome, Italy

Cittร  della Salute e della Scienza

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡น

Torino, Italy

ยฉ Copyright 2025. All Rights Reserved by MedPath