Blood transfusions may worsen brain inflammation and long-term development in anemic newborns
RBC transfusion exacerbates brain inflammation in anemic murine neonates and causes long term neurodevelopment impairment
['FUNDING_R01'] · UT SOUTHWESTERN MEDICAL CENTER · NIH-11248755
This research checks if red blood cell transfusions given to anemic newborns trigger brain inflammation that harms their long-term development.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UT SOUTHWESTERN MEDICAL CENTER (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (DALLAS, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11248755 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
From a parent's view, researchers use a newborn mouse model of anemia and transfusion to understand how severe anemia and subsequent red blood cell transfusions can cause a “leaky gut,” letting bacterial toxins into the bloodstream and activating immune cells in the brain. They measure brain inflammation, microglial activation, and later behavioral and developmental outcomes to link early inflammation with long-term effects. The team will test whether aspects of the transfusion process or targeted treatments reduce the inflammatory response and protect brain development. Results are intended to suggest safer transfusion practices or therapies that could be tested in babies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This line of work is most relevant to parents of premature or critically ill newborns who develop severe anemia and receive red blood cell transfusions.
Not a fit: Children and adults without anemia, or infants whose developmental problems are caused by other conditions, are unlikely to benefit directly from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to safer transfusion approaches or treatments that protect premature infants' brains and improve long-term development.
How similar studies have performed: Clinical trials and animal studies have suggested a link between transfusions and worse neurodevelopment in extremely preterm infants, but the exact inflammatory mechanisms are still being worked out and remain novel.
Where this research is happening
DALLAS, UNITED STATES
- UT SOUTHWESTERN MEDICAL CENTER — DALLAS, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: KRISHNAN, MOHAN KUMAR — UT SOUTHWESTERN MEDICAL CENTER
- Study coordinator: KRISHNAN, MOHAN KUMAR
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.