Biomedical researchers have developed an innovative injectable microgel therapy designed to reduce bleeding in infants undergoing surgery. In preclinical animal studies, the engineered microgel reduced blood loss by at least 50 percent, highlighting its potential to improve surgical outcomes in neonates. The findings were published in the journal Science Advances in a study titled “Hemostatic B-Knob Triggered MicroGels (BK-TriGs) to Address Bleeding in Neonates.”
Unique Challenges of Hemostasis in Infants
Hemostasis, the body’s natural process for stopping bleeding, occurs through a complex sequence of biological events. However, hemostasis in infants differs significantly from that in adults. This difference becomes particularly important during surgery, when infants often require blood transfusions from adult donors to replace blood lost during the procedure.
According to Ashley Brown, Lampe Distinguished Professor of Biomedical Engineering at North Carolina State University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, adult blood transfusions can sometimes lead to excessive clotting in infants.
“Because adult and infant clotting mechanisms differ, transfusing adult blood can increase the risk of thrombosis, where blood clots form in the lungs or other organs,” Brown explained. Consequently, researchers sought a therapy that could reduce surgical bleeding and minimize the need for donor blood transfusions.
Development of B-Knob Triggered Microgels
To address this challenge, the research team engineered B-knob triggered microgels (BK-TriGs). These particles incorporate B peptides, short amino acid sequences that help link fibrin molecules together during clot formation.
Fibrin is the primary protein responsible for blood clotting, and B peptides play a particularly important role in infant hemostasis. By embedding these peptides into microgel particles, researchers created a material that enhances clot formation precisely where it is needed.
Hydrogel Design Mimics Natural Platelets
As reported by medicalxpress, the microgel particles absorb water and form soft hydrogels that mimic the mechanical behavior of natural platelets. This design improves the ability of B peptides to create strong fibrin networks, thereby helping control bleeding more effectively.
Researchers first evaluated the technology using microfluidic devices to test its effect on clotting in blood plasma from both human adults and infants. As expected, BK-TriGs significantly improved clotting performance in infant plasma.
Promising Results in Animal Studies
To further assess the therapy, the team conducted experiments in genetically engineered mice lacking fibrinogen, the precursor protein that forms fibrin. Researchers introduced infant fibrinogen into these mice to replicate infant-like clotting conditions.
The results were encouraging. BK-TriGs reduced blood loss by 50–60 percent compared with control groups and outperformed other experimental treatments.
Future Research and Clinical Potential
Although the findings are promising, researchers emphasize that the therapy remains far from clinical use. The next phase of research will compare BK-TriGs with existing hemostatic therapies and evaluate whether combining treatments could further improve outcomes.
Importantly, scientists must also confirm that the microgels do not increase the risk of unintended clot formation.
If proven safe and effective, BK-TriGs could provide a cost-effective solution for managing surgical bleeding in newborns. Researchers note that manufacturing the particles would likely be significantly less expensive than blood products, potentially making neonatal surgery safer and more accessible worldwide.