ReviewThe Cochrane database of systematic reviews2023
Stem cell-based interventions for the prevention and treatment of intraventricular haemorrhage and encephalopathy of prematurity in preterm infants.
Review in The Cochrane database of systematic reviews, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 6 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
6 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it, 5 citations in OpenAlex.
- Stem cell-based interventions for the treatment of stroke in newborn infants.The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2023Pooled it
- From oxidative stress to epigenetic regulation: Molecular mechanisms of preterm brain injury and neuroprotective strategies (Review).Molecular medicine reports · 2026Review
- Progress in cell therapies for neonatal conditions: Proceedings of the Third Neonatal Cell Therapies Symposium (2025).Pediatric research · 2026Article
- Promising Preventive Strategies for Intraventricular Hemorrhage in Preterm Neonates: A Critical Review.Journal of clinical medicine · 2025Review
- Pharmacological Strategies and Surgical Management of Posthemorrhagic Hydrocephalus Following Germinal Matrix-Intraventricular Hemorrhage in Preterm Infants.Current neuropharmacology · 2025Review
- Nonhematopoietic Umbilical Cord Blood Stem Cell Administration Improves Long-term Neurodevelopment After Periventricular-Intraventricular Hemorrhage in Neonatal Rats.Cell transplantationArticle
Corrections and comments
- Update of
Authors and funding
6 authors at 5 institutions in 3 countries.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundGerminal matrix-intraventricular haemorrhage (GMH-IVH) and encephalopathy of prematurity (EoP) remain substantial issues in neonatal intensive care units worldwide. Current therapies to prevent or treat these conditions are limited. Stem cell-based therapies offer a potential therapeutic approach to repair, restore, or regenerate injured brain tissue. These preclinical findings have now culminated in ongoing human neonatal studies. This is an update of the 2019 review, which did not include EoP.
objectivesTo evaluate the benefits and harms of stem cell-based interventions for prevention or treatment of GM-IVH and EoP in preterm infants. SEARCH
methodsWe used standard, extensive Cochrane search methods. The latest search was April 2022. SELECTION CRITERIA: We attempted to include randomised controlled trials, quasi-randomised controlled trials, and cluster trials comparing 1. stem cell-based interventions versus control; 2. mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) of type or source versus MSCs of other type or source; 3. stem cell-based interventions other than MSCs of type or source versus stem cell-based interventions other than MSCs of other type or source; or 4. MSCs versus stem cell-based interventions other than MSCs. For prevention studies, we included extremely preterm infants (less than 28 weeks' gestation), 24 hours of age or less, without ultrasound diagnosis of GM-IVH or EoP; for treatment studies, we included preterm infants (less than 37 weeks' gestation), of any postnatal age, with ultrasound diagnosis of GM-IVH or with EoP. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: We used standard Cochrane methods. Our primary outcomes were 1. all-cause neonatal mortality, 2. major neurodevelopmental disability, 3. GM-IVH, 4. EoP, and 5. extension of pre-existing non-severe GM-IVH or EoP. We planned to use GRADE to assess certainty of evidence for each outcome. MAIN
resultsWe identified no studies that met our inclusion criteria. Three studies are currently registered and ongoing. Phase 1 trials are described in the 'Excluded studies' section. AUTHORS'
conclusionsNo evidence is currently available to evaluate the benefits and harms of stem cell-based interventions for treatment or prevention of GM-IVH or EoP in preterm infants. We identified three ongoing studies, with a sample size range from 20 to 200. In two studies, autologous cord blood mononuclear cells will be administered to extremely preterm infants via the intravenous route; in one, intracerebroventricular injection of MSCs will be administered to preterm infants up to 34 weeks' gestational age.
Indexed as
Identifiers
What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.