Erythropoietin for neuroprotection in preterm infants: feasiblity and safety study

Background: Long-term disability remains a major problem in very preterm infants. Novel strategies to protect developing organs, in particular the brain, are therefore of greatest interest in neonatal intensive care medicine. Erythropoietin has been shown to be protective against hypoxic-ischemic and inflammatory injuries in cell culture, animal models of brain injury, and in clinical trials in human adults. Objective: The rationale for our study was that early administration of high dose recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEpo) may reduce perinatal brain injury (IVH and PVL) in very preterm infants and improve…