December 2025. Volume 21. Number 4

Umbilical cord blood transfusion in cerebral palsy: between hope and evidence

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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AVC | Critically appraised articles

Finch-Edmondson M, Paton MCB, Webb A, Ashrafi MR, Blatch-Williams RK, Cox CS, et al. Cord blood treatment for children with cerebral palsy: individual participant data meta-analysis. Pediatrics. 2025;155:e2024068999.

Reviewers: Aparicio Sánchez JL1, Rivas Fernández MÁ2.
1Servicio de Pediatría. Neurología Infantil. Hospital Universitario Doctor José Molina Orosa. Arrecife. Las Palmas. España.
2Servicio de Pediatría. Hospital Universitario General de Cataluña. Sant Cugat del Vallés. Barcelona. España.
Correspondence: José Luis Aparicio Sánchez. Email: japaricio1970@gmail.com
Reception date: 03/11/2025
Acceptance date: 11/11/2025
Publication date: 26/11/2025

Abstract

Authors’ conclusions: umbilical cord blood transfusion is safe and provides benefit for improving gross motor function in some children with Cerebral Palsy (CP), with higher doses associated with increased effect size. Younger participants (aged approximately <5 years) with milder CP showed increased benefit. Findings will help design future trials with precision.

Reviewers’ comment: the magnitude of the benefit of umbilical cord blood transfusion in cerebral palsy is observed only in a specific subgroup and is clinically irrelevant. Furthermore, further short- and long-term studies are needed to ensure its safety.

How to cite this article

Aparicio Sánchez JL, Rivas Fernández MA. Transfusión de sangre de cordón umbilical en la parálisis cerebral infantil: entre la esperanza y las pruebas. Evid Pediatr. 2025;21:46.

AVC | Critically appraised articles

Finch-Edmondson M, Paton MCB, Webb A, Ashrafi MR, Blatch-Williams RK, Cox CS, et al. Cord blood treatment for children with cerebral palsy: individual participant data meta-analysis. Pediatrics. 2025;155:e2024068999.

Reviewers: Aparicio Sánchez JL1, Rivas Fernández MÁ2.
1Servicio de Pediatría. Neurología Infantil. Hospital Universitario Doctor José Molina Orosa. Arrecife. Las Palmas. España.
2Servicio de Pediatría. Hospital Universitario General de Cataluña. Sant Cugat del Vallés. Barcelona. España.
Correspondence: José Luis Aparicio Sánchez. Email: japaricio1970@gmail.com
Reception date: 03/11/2025
Acceptance date: 11/11/2025
Publication date: 26/11/2025

How to cite this article

Aparicio Sánchez JL, Rivas Fernández MA. Transfusión de sangre de cordón umbilical en la parálisis cerebral infantil: entre la esperanza y las pruebas. Evid Pediatr. 2025;21:46.

26/11/2025

Linked Comment

Methodological note