For the first time in the world: umbilical cord blood will be used to protect brain in children with diaphragmatic hernias.

The new clinical trial, for the first time in the world, launches at the University of Texas (USA), whose goal is to protect the brain of infants with congenital diaphragmatic hernias.

The diaphragm is an anatomic structure that separates the abdominal cavity from the thoracic and takes part in the act of breathing. In children with developmental defects of the diaphragm, the organs of the abdominal cavity may fall into the thoracic cavity, what does not allow the lungs to develop normally.

Diaphragmatic hernias occur with a frequency of approximately 1 in 2,500 births. Severe forms of diaphragmatic hernias can lead to death and impaired brain function due to decreased oxygen supply to the central nervous system during the first weeks of life. Since there is no method of treatment that would perform neuroprotective function, that is, protect the brain in newborns with diaphragmatic hernias, scientists consider it appropriate to use stem cells of the umbilical cord blood. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted permission for this innovative treatment in the framework of the clinical trial.

Source: https://www.newswise.com/articles/umbilical-cord-blood-cells-studied-for-preserving-brain-function-in-infants-with-congenital-diaphragm-disease

Cryobank of the Institute of Cell Therapy is the Ukraine’s only biobank that has international accreditation in accordance with the ISO standard. Since 2008, Cryobank’s cell drugs have been used in clinical trials on the basis of state clinics and leading research institutes of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine.