• Yvonne W Wu, Larry A Bauer, Roberta A Ballard, Donna M Ferriero, David V Glidden, Dennis E Mayock, Taeun Chang, David J Durand, Dongli Song, Sonia L Bonifacio, Fernando F Gonzalez, Hannah C Glass, and Sandra E Juul.
• Departments of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, Child Neurology, 350 Parnassus Ave, Suite 609, San Francisco, CA 94143-0137, USA. wuy@neuropeds.ucsf.edu
• Pediatrics. 2012 Oct 1;130(4):683-91.

ObjectiveTo determine the safety and pharmacokinetics of erythropoietin (Epo) given in conjunction with hypothermia for hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). We hypothesized that high dose Epo would produce plasma concentrations that are neuroprotective in animal studies (ie, maximum concentration = 6000-10000 U/L; area under the curve = 117000-140000 U*h/L).MethodsIn this multicenter, open-label, dose-escalation, phase I study, we enrolled 24 newborns undergoing hypothermia for HIE. All patients had decreased consciousness and acidosis (pH < 7.00 or base deficit ≥ 12), 10-minute Apgar score ≤ 5, or ongoing resuscitation at 10 minutes. Patients received 1 of 4 Epo doses intravenously: 250 (N = 3), 500 (N = 6), 1000 (N = 7), or 2500 U/kg per dose (N = 8). We gave up to 6 doses every 48 hours starting at <24 hours of age and performed pharmacokinetic and safety analyses.ResultsPatients received mean 4.8 ± 1.2 Epo doses. Although Epo followed nonlinear pharmacokinetics, excessive accumulation did not occur during multiple dosing. At 500, 1000, and 2500 U/kg Epo, half-life was 7.2, 15.0, and 18.7 hours; maximum concentration was 7046, 13780, and 33316 U/L, and total Epo exposure (area under the curve) was 50306, 131054, and 328002 U*h/L, respectively. Drug clearance at a given dose was slower than reported in uncooled preterm infants. No deaths or serious adverse effects were seen.ConclusionsEpo 1000 U/kg per dose intravenously given in conjunction with hypothermia is well tolerated and produces plasma concentrations that are neuroprotective in animals. A large efficacy trial is needed to determine whether Epo add-on therapy further improves outcome in infants undergoing hypothermia for HIE.

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