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Published on: November 5, 2016
Cell-based strategies to reconstitute vital functions in preterm infants with organ failure
1Division of Neonatology and Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet and University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
Insights
Preterm infants face organ damage due to prematurity, with inflammation playing a key role. Stem cell therapy offers promising new avenues for restoring organ function and improving outcomes for these vulnerable infants.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Medicine
- Regenerative Medicine
- Pediatric Pathology
Background:
- Infants born preterm are susceptible to organ-specific conditions due to immaturity and intensive care.
- Bronchopulmonary dysplasia, pulmonary hypertension, intracranial hemorrhage, retinopathy of prematurity, and necrotizing enterocolitis are common challenges.
- Inflammation is a key driver in the pathogenesis of these prematurity-related conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advances in stem cell therapy for treating organ dysfunction in preterm infants.
- To explore the potential of stem cell therapy in addressing inflammation and promoting injury repair.
- To highlight new possibilities for restoring organ function following prematurity.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature on stem cell therapy in neonatal intensive care.
- Analysis of research on the role of inflammation in prematurity-related diseases.
- Synthesis of findings on stem cell-based regenerative approaches.
Main Results:
- Stem cell therapy demonstrates potential in mitigating inflammation and promoting tissue repair in affected organs.
- Emerging evidence suggests efficacy in conditions like bronchopulmonary dysplasia and necrotizing enterocolitis.
- Stem cell treatments offer a promising alternative to supportive care, aiming for functional restoration.
Conclusions:
- Stem cell therapy represents a significant advancement in managing the complications of prematurity.
- Restoring organ function through regenerative approaches is a key focus for improving long-term health in preterm infants.
- Further research and clinical trials are essential to optimize stem cell therapy protocols for neonatal care.
Abstract:
Infants born preterm face a number of challenges. Depending on the degree of prematurity, they are at a risk of developing several specific conditions and diseases related to organ immaturity and complications of long-term neonatal intensive care. Various organ systems are affected, such as the lung, resulting in bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD); the vascular system, resulting in pulmonary hypertension; the brain, with the risk of intracranial hemorrhage; the eye with retinopathy of prematurity; and the gut, manifesting in the severe complication of necrotizing enterocolitis. A common hallmark for all these prematurity-related conditions is that inflammation seems to be a major driving force in the pathogenesis, and that injury repair is essential for recovery and long-term health. In addition, the available treatment options are often only supportive, not curative. This chapter reviews the recent advances of stem cell therapy that have opened up new possibilities to restore organ function following prematurity.
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