Researchers have discovered that cord blood infusions are effective at treating babies with congenital hydrocephalus and can used on multiple occasions. The research paper looked at the 76 cases of patients who were given cord blood infusions and found the procedure to be safe.
Congenital hydrocephalus occurs when there is excess cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in a baby’s brain at birth. The additional CSF can increase pressure in the brain, causing brain damage. This rare condition can occur because of bleeding in the foetus before birth, certain infections carried by the mother, genetic defects or birth defects.
Infusions using umbilical cord blood have been shown to have positive effects in animal trials. Umbilical cord blood is also being tested as a potential treatment for brain hypoxia and stroke in both babies and adults.
The research was primarily focused on the assessing the feasibility of repeated autologous cord blood infusions on young babies. All babies involved in the trial had severe congenital hydrocephalus and had their autologous cord blood stem cells preserved. Where possible, multiple transfusions were used.
Over the 8-year period between 2006 and 2014, 76 patients received a total of 143 autologous cord blood infusions. 11 babies received 1 infusion, 43 babies received 2 infusions, 18 babies received 3 infusions and 4 babies received 4 infusions. There were no negative symptoms in any of the babies.
Researchers concluded that cryopreserved cord blood can be used to give babies multiple doses of stem cells. They also found that repeated infusions are safe and feasible in young babies.
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