Application of Umbilical Cord Blood for the Clinical Prevention and Treatment of Complications in Preterm Infants(Review).

Preterm infants face a heightened risk of various complications due to the immaturity of their physiological systems, with global rates of preterm birth increasing. These complications represent the leading causes of mortality in children. This review examines current research on the use of umbilical cord blood(UCB) for managing preterm complications, including bronchopulmonary dysplasia(BPD), hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy(HIE), necrotizing enterocolitis(NEC), sepsis and retinopathy of prematurity(ROP). UCB is rich in bioactive components, including hematopoietic stem cells(HSCs), mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs), and exosomes, which are crucial for neurological and vascular repair, anti-apoptosis, anti-inflammation, and immunomodulation. Both preclinical investigations and clinical trials have highlighted the potential of UCB therapy in mitigating the severity of preterm complications, enhancing clinical outcomes, and fostering long-term neural development. Current clinical studies aim to further confirm the safety and efficacy of UCB therapy, with future research concentrating on refining treatment protocols and tailoring personalized medical approaches to enhance the long-term well-being of preterm infants.