The study
Reticell is a randomized clinical trial designed to evaluate the effect of umbilical cord blood transfusion on the incidence of retinopathy of prematurity in preterm infants.
01 What are the objectives?
The main objective is to evaluate the impact of autologous umbilical cord blood transfusion in preventing retinopathy of prematurity.
02 Why?
La retinopatía de la prematuridad es una complicación ocular que afecta a los recién nacidos prematuros. La sangre de cordón de recién nacidos contiene una alta concentración en hemoglobina fetal. Se sabe que la hemoglobina fetal desempeñan un papel crucial en la prevención de la retinopatía de la prematuridad. Los resultados preliminares apuntan a que las transfusiones con sangre de cordón podrían influir o contribuir en la prevención de esta enfermedad. Este ensayo busca proporcionar evidencia sólida al respecto.
03 When?
The safety and feasibility study phase was completed in December 2023. The main phase of the trial began in 2024 and is expected to last for approximately 3 years.
04 Where?
The trial will be conducted in multiple Neonatal Units in Spain with experience in the care of premature newborns.
05 Team
The study is led by the Perinatology Research Group at the La Fe Health Research Institute and the La Fe University and Polytechnic Hospital. The Perinatology Research Group, founded in 2005 and with extensive research experience, is composed of neonatologists, biologists, chemists, pharmacists, nurses, and psychologists. The study has been approved by the Ethics Committee of the La Fe Hospital and by the National Transplant Organization (ONT). Additionally, it is supported by ONCE (National Organization of Spanish Blind People) and AVAPREM (Valencian Association of Mothers and Fathers of Premature Children).
06 Expected impact
The relevance of the trial is based on the need to address retinopathy of prematurity, a severe ocular complication common in extremely premature infants, for which there is currently no effective treatment. Additionally, this trial could initiate a paradigm shift in transfusion practices, using neonatal blood for neonatal patients whose condition differs significantly from adult patients, thereby improving the quality of care and clinical outcomes for these patients.
In collaboration with:
