Umbilical cord blood, the best remedy against anemia in premature babies

BarcelonaBetween 80% and 90% of extremely premature babies—those born before 28 weeks of gestation—suffer from anemia. To treat it, two-thirds of these infants require blood transfusions during the first weeks of life, but receiving adult blood carries some side effects. An Italian study published in 2025 demonstrated that transfusions of umbilical cord blood reduce the risk of pathologies common in premature infants, such as retinal, pulmonary, and circulatory problems, while also avoiding the complications associated with receiving adult blood. To demonstrate the viability of this transfusion technique, the Hospital Clínic Barcelona and the Blood and Tissue Bank (BST) conducted a clinical trial with 41 extremely premature babies with anemia, which yielded favorable results. The trial, presented at the Congress of European Societies of Neonatology, has passed its first phase, confirming that the infrastructure of Hospital Clínic and BST is suitable for performing cord blood transfusions. This makes the center a pioneer in Spain and "one of the only places in the world where we have a healthcare facility that allows for this technique," says Dr. Miquel Alsina, attending physician in the Neonatology Department at Hospital Clínic. He adds that they are already working on creating a multicenter study with six centers that can "treat as many children as possible when they need it."

Anemic newborns need to compensate for their lack of red blood cells, but receiving adult blood transfusions alters their blood profile. "Adult blood generates hyperoxia, an excess of oxygen in the tissues that can be detrimental to babies," explains Alsina. Cord blood, on the other hand, "contains a type of hemoglobin that can be beneficial for premature newborns, avoiding this overexposure to oxygen caused by adult hemoglobin," says Alsina. The study, conducted between 2023 and 2025, has confirmed that umbilical cord blood transfusion is therefore a feasible and "more physiological alternative for the tiny recipients," adds the doctor. Eli and Silvia, mothers of one of the girls who participated in the trial, admit that "when Eira was born at 25 weeks gestation, our world stopped," but they celebrate that thanks to the cord blood transfusion, "she is now healthy and unstoppable."

Blood with many uses

Both Alsina and Jesús Fernández, director of the Cord Blood Bank, believe that this new use of umbilical cord blood can revolutionize the way premature babies are treated, emphasizing that "donation goes far beyond that." This blood, a rich source of stem cells, has proven beneficial in treating leukemia patients and can also help people with dermatological problems—such as diabetic ulcers—and gynecological conditions—such as some endometrial pathologies. The hospital confirms that they are already working with severe cases.

For this same reason, professionals are appealing for cord blood donations, which, due to declining motherhood and a lack of awareness, have fallen sharply in recent years. The goal for 2025 was to reach 1,500 donations to maintain the therapeutic uses of the technique, but they only achieved 1,200. "We need to spread the word among mothers and midwives so that potential donors see that it's an easy and safe process," Fernández urges, adding that "with a small altruistic gesture, you can give a child a life and improve the quality of life for others."