“The use of blood from adult donors to treat anaemia in very premature babies can sometimes lead to complications, which we have seen can be significantly reduced by transfusing blood obtained from the umbilical cord,” explains Dr Alsina. 
 
This pioneering clinical trial in Spain, promoted by the Hospital Clínic de Barcelona and the Blood and Tissue Bank, and led by Dr Alsina, neonatologist at the Clínic and lecturer in the Department of Medicine of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, demonstrates that this technique offers a safer and more physiological alternative to conventional transfusions.

The study, conducted with 41 babies born before 28 weeks of gestation, shows that the use of umbilical cord blood, instead of blood from adult donors, can reduce the risk of complications associated with prematurity and lessen the side effects of transfusions.

As Dr Alsina explains, “This is a more physiological alternative for these highly vulnerable patients, as the blood profile obtained is very similar to that of premature babies who do not require transfusion”. One of the key advantages is the presence of foetal haemoglobin (HbF) in umbilical cord blood, which offers protection against oxygen‑related damage, particularly in immature tissues such as the retina or lungs.

The success of this technique also depends on umbilical cord donation, still unfamiliar to many people but capable of saving the lives of premature babies. It involves no intervention for the mother, as the donation takes place after birth.

With phase I completed, the research team is now preparing a multicentre study involving several maternity hospitals in Barcelona to increase the number of patients and make this innovative treatment available to as many premature babies as possible.