title: Are high cumulative doses of erythropoietin neuroprotective in preterm infants? A two year follow-up report.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Preterm infants are at risk for neurodevelopmental sequelae even in absence of major cerebral lesions. The hypothesis that Human Recombinant Erythropoietin (rEpo) could improve the neurodevelopmental outcome in risk neonates has raised the highest interest in recent years.
  
  
  METHODS
  A group of preterm neonates born at a gestational age ≤ 30 weeks and free from major cerebral lesions or major visual impairment, were included in the study if they had a complete neurologic evaluation for at least 24 months of postmenstrual age. They were assigned to group I in the case they had been treated with rEpo or group II if untreated. The aim was to evaluate whether rEpo, given at the high cumulative doses utilized for hematologic purposes, is able to improve the neurodevelopmental outcome in preterm infants born at a gestational age ≤ 30 weeks. A group of 104 preterm neonates were studied: 59 neonates who received rEpo for 6.9 ± 2.4 weeks at a median cumulative dose of 6300 UI/Kg (6337 ± 2434 UI/Kg), starting at a median age of 4 days and 45 neonates who were born in the period preceding the routine use of rEpo. The neurodevelopmental quotient at 24 month postmenstrual age was assessed utilizing the Griffiths' Mental Developmental Scales.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Our results failed to show any difference in the Developmental Quotient at 24 month. Bronchopulmonary dysplasia, minor intraventricular hemorrhages and blood transfusions were the clinical features significantly related to the Developmental Quotient.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results do not support the hypothesis that rEpo, administered with the schedule utilized for hematologic purposes, improve the neurodevelopmental outcome of preterm neonates, at least those preterm infants free from major impairments.
authors.affiliation: Neonatology Unit, Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Pediatrics, A. Gemelli University Hospital, Rome, Italy. ritaluciano@yahoo.it.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Luciano
authors.affiliation: Neonatology Unit, Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Pediatrics, A. Gemelli University Hospital, Rome, Italy. fracchiollannalisa@yahoo.it.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fracchiolla
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Neurology Unit, Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Pediatrics, A. Gemelli University Hospital, Rome, Italy. riccidaniela@yahoo.it.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ricci
authors.affiliation: Neonatology Unit, Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Pediatrics, A. Gemelli University Hospital, Rome, Italy. lrdyupa@gmail.com.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cota
authors.affiliation: Neonatology Unit, Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Pediatrics, A. Gemelli University Hospital, Rome, Italy. dandrea.vito@gmail.com.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: D'Andrea
authors.affiliation: Neonatology Unit, Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Pediatrics, A. Gemelli University Hospital, Rome, Italy. francesca.gallini@fastwebnet.it.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gallini
authors.affiliation: Neonatology Unit, Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Pediatrics, A. Gemelli University Hospital, Rome, Italy. patrizia.papacci@gmail.com.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Papacci
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Neurology Unit, Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Pediatrics, A. Gemelli University Hospital, Rome, Italy. eumercuri@gmail.com.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mercuri
authors.affiliation: Neonatology Unit, Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Pediatrics, A. Gemelli University Hospital, Rome, Italy. cromagnoli@rm.unicatt.it.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Romagnoli
mesh_terms: D000751:Anemia, Neonatal / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002657:Child Development / Q000187:drug effects*; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D008297:Male; D009460:Neurologic Examination
chemical_list: D004921:Erythropoietin