Effect of Erythropoietin on Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in Very Preterm Infants With Intraventricular Hemorrhage

IVH is one of the most common complications in preterm infants. Nearly 60% of preterm infants with grade III-IV IVH develop severe neurodevelopmental outcomes. There are currently no effective treatments to prevent preterm infants with IVH from developing ventricular dilation or serious neurological disabilities. Recent studies have shown that EPO could improve neurodevelopmental outcomes in preterm infants with grade III-IV IVH. However, the dose and course of EPO in preterm infants is still uncertain. The purpose of the study was whether repeated low-dose EPO (500 U/kg, every other day, for 2 weeks) given to very preterm right after the diagnosis of IVH could improve long-term neurological outcomes. Very preterm infants with gestational age of ≤ 32 weeks who are diagnosed with IVH within 72 hours after birth in NICU are eligible for enrolment. After informed consent is obtained, infants will be randomly assigned to EPO group or vehicle group. The primary outcome is whether EPO improves mortality and neurological disabilities in very preterm infants with IVH at 18 months of corrected age, and the secondary outcome was whether EPO decrease the incidence of cerebral palsy, MDI<70, blindness, and deafness.

Inclusion criteria

• Preterm infants admitted to NICU ≤ 32 weeks gestation at birth
• Birth weight less than 1500 g
• Less than 72 hours of life at time of enrolment
• Diagnosed as IVH by head ultrasound
• Written informed consent of parent or guardian

Exclusion criteria

• Genetic metabolic diseases
• Congenital abnormalities
• Polycythaemia (Hct > 65%) within first 24 hours of life
• Thrombocytopenia (platelets < 50K cells/microL) within first 24 hours of life
• Unstable vital signs (such as respiration and circulation failure)