Blood Products and Transfusion Procedures
According to the BORN trial design, patients were randomized 1:1 to receive standard A-RBCs (group A, comparator) or CB-RBCs (group B, intervention). Units of RBCs were ABO-RhD blood group matched; if the ABO-RhD blood group–matched CB-RBC unit was unavailable, patients in group B received an A-RBC unit. CB-RBCs were obtained from CB solidaristic donations at the public CB bank of the Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS. The units not suitable for transplant for a low, total nucleated cell content were used. Cord blood units were processed as previously described.