Study of Extracellular Vesicles in Umbilical Cord Blood of Extremely Premature Newborns Born Before 28 Weeks and Their Link to Severe Health Problems

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are exploring the role of extracellular vesicles EVs in extremely premature infants born before 28 weeks of gestation. These tiny particles released by cells carry important information about the bodys condition. In such premature infants, blood vessel problems can lead to severe complications like brain bleeding, lung injury, or serious infections. This study aims to identify early markers in EVs from umbilical cord blood that may predict these risks and improve care. The study collects venous cord blood samples from 30 eligible extremely premature newborns at Montpellier University Hospital. The blood plasma is processed shortly after birth to isolate EVs, which are then analyzed for size, number, and cellular origin using specialized laboratory techniques. A biobank is created to store plasma samples for future research. Some arterial cord blood samples are also collected for comparison in the first few participants. Participants involvement includes blood collection at birth, rapid plasma processing within three hours, and laboratory analysis of EVs up to three months after collection. Clinical information on severe complications and mortality is tracked for up to one year. The study measures correlations between EV characteristics and early severe health issues, with the goal of better understanding and predicting risks for these vulnerable infants.

Characterization of Extracellular Vesicles From the Cord Blood of Extremely Preterm New Borns and Their Correlation With Severe Morbidity and Mortality