Early Erythropoietin Prophylaxis of Very Preterm Infants

Early high-dose erythropoietin did not enhance neuroprotection of very preterm infants.

Perinatal brain injury is a common complication of extreme prematurity (gestational age, <28 weeks) and is associated with long-term neurodevelopmental disability. Animal and early human studies indicate that recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEpo) is a potentially useful neuroprotective agent.

In a Swiss multicenter study, investigators enrolled 450 very premature infants (mean gestational age, 29.0 weeks) between 2005 and 2012 and randomized them to receive rhEpo (3000 IU/kg) or placebo as three intravenous doses administered at <3, 12–18, and 36–42 hours of life. Eleven percent of infants also received supplemental rhEpo for treatment of anemia of prematurity.

The primary outcome, the mental developmental index at 2 years' corrected age b…

Reviewing Author

Robin Steinhorn, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardActelion Pharmaceuticals

Editorial BoardsJournal of Pediatrics

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Pediatric Society (President); American Board of Pediatrics (Board of Directors)

Robin Steinhorn, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardActelion Pharmaceuticals

Editorial BoardsJournal of Pediatrics

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Pediatric Society (President); American Board of Pediatrics (Board of Directors)

Early Erythropoietin Prophylaxis of Very Preterm Infants

Topics

Reviewing Author