Effects of erythropoietin on improving neurobehavioral premature infants with brain damage / 中国小儿急救医学

ABSTRACT

Objective To study the clinical curative and protective effects of erythropoietin (EPO)on treating the premature infants with brain damage. Methods Forty-two premature infants with periventricular leukomalacia were divided into the EPO treatment group (n = 22) and control group (n = 20). From postnatal day 3 to 5 ,the EPO treatment group received EPO for 4 weeks. Neonatal behavioral neurological assessments (NBNA) for all infants were performed separately in 40 weeks after correcting gestational age. All infants were followed up until 6 month after birth, MRI and electroencephalogram were performed. The developmental quotient(DQ) was evaluated at the age of 3 and 6 months. Results The NBNA scores of EPO group in 40 weeks and DQ were significantly higher than those of control group (P ＜ 0.05). Conclusion EPO can rehabilitate the damaged neurological system of premature infants with brain damage. Early EPO therapy can promote development of the neurobehavioral and improve prognosis.