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Picotti E, Reinelt T, Koller B, Bucher HU, Rüegger CM, Fauchère JC, Natalucci G. Effect of Early High-Dose Recombinant Human Erythropoietin on Behavior and Quality of Life in Children Aged 5 Years Born Very Preterm: Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Netw Open 2022; 5:e2245499. [PMID: 36477478 PMCID: PMC9856490 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.45499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE In light of the promising neuroprotective properties of recombinant human erythropoietin (RHEpo), the Swiss EPO Neuroprotection Trial was started to investigate its effect on neurodevelopment in very preterm infants. The results of the primary and secondary outcome analysis did not show any effect of RHEpo on cognitive performance, neuromotor outcomes, or somatic growth of the study participants at ages 2 or 5 years. OBJECTIVE To investigate whether early high-dose RHEpo improves behavioral outcomes and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) at age 5 years. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This was a prespecified secondary analysis of the double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter Swiss EPO Neuroprotection randomized clinical trial, which was conducted at 5 level-III perinatal centers in Switzerland. Infants born between 26 weeks 0 days' and 31 weeks 6 days' gestation were recruited between 2005 and 2012 and followed-up until age 5 years (last follow-up in 2018). Data were analyzed from January 6 to December 31, 2021. INTERVENTIONS Infants were assigned to receive either RHEpo (3000 IU/kg) or placebo (saline, 0.9%) intravenously 3 times within the first 42 hours after birth. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The prespecified parent-reported measures of behavioral outcomes and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of their children at the age of 5 years were assessed by two standardized questionnaires: the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (behavioral outcomes) and the KIDSCREEN-27 (HRQoL). RESULTS Among 448 randomized infants, 228 infants were assigned to the RHEpo group and 220 infants were assigned to the placebo group. Questionnaire data were available for 317 children (71%) at a mean (SD) age of 5.8 (0.4) years (mean [SD] gestational age at birth, 29.3 [1.6] weeks; mean [SD] birth weight 1220 [340] grams; 128 [40%] female infants). At the age 5 years follow-up, the mean (SD) total difficulties score in the RHEpo group (8.41 [5.60] points) was similar to that of the placebo group (7.76 [4.81]) (P = .37). There were no statistically significant differences between the groups in any other outcome measures. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE This secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial showed no evidence for an effect of early high-dose RHEpo administration on behavioral outcomes or HRQoL in children born very preterm at early school age. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00413946.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleonora Picotti
- Newborn Research, Department of Neonatology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Tilman Reinelt
- Larsson-Rosenquist Center for Neurodevelopment, Growth, and Nutrition of the Newborn, Department of Neonatology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Brigitte Koller
- Newborn Research, Department of Neonatology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Hans Ulrich Bucher
- Newborn Research, Department of Neonatology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Christoph M. Rüegger
- Newborn Research, Department of Neonatology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Jean-Claude Fauchère
- Newborn Research, Department of Neonatology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Giancarlo Natalucci
- Newborn Research, Department of Neonatology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Larsson-Rosenquist Center for Neurodevelopment, Growth, and Nutrition of the Newborn, Department of Neonatology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Child Development Center, University Children’s Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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Diffusion Tensor Imaging Changes Do Not Affect Long-Term Neurodevelopment following Early Erythropoietin among Extremely Preterm Infants in the Preterm Erythropoietin Neuroprotection Trial. Brain Sci 2021; 11:brainsci11101360. [PMID: 34679424 PMCID: PMC8533828 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11101360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Revised: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
We aimed to evaluate diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) in infants born extremely preterm, to determine the effect of erythropoietin (Epo) on DTI, and to correlate DTI with neurodevelopmental outcomes at 2 years of age for infants in the Preterm Erythropoietin Neuroprotection (PENUT) Trial. Infants who underwent MRI with DTI at 36 weeks postmenstrual age were included. Neurodevelopmental outcomes were evaluated by Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development (BSID-III). Generalized linear models were used to assess the association between DTI parameters and treatment group, and then with neurodevelopmental outcomes. A total of 101 placebo- and 93 Epo-treated infants underwent MRI. DTI white matter mean diffusivity (MD) was lower in placebo- compared to Epo-treated infants in the cingulate and occipital regions, and occipital white matter fractional isotropy (FA) was lower in infants born at 24-25 weeks vs. 26-27 weeks. These values were not associated with lower BSID-III scores. Certain decreases in clustering coefficients tended to have lower BSID-III scores. Consistent with the PENUT Trial findings, there was no effect on long-term neurodevelopment in Epo-treated infants even in the presence of microstructural changes identified by DTI.
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Ma X, Shi Y. Whether erythropoietin can be a neuroprotective agent against premature brain injury: cellular mechanisms and clinical efficacy. Curr Neuropharmacol 2021; 20:611-629. [PMID: 34030616 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x19666210524154519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2021] [Revised: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 05/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Preterm infants are at high risk of brain injury. With more understanding of the preterm brain injury's pathogenesis, neuroscientists are looking for more effective methods to prevent and treat it, among which erythropoietin (Epo) is considered as a prime candidate. This review tries to clarify the possible mechanisms of Epo in preterm neuroprotection and summarize updated evidence considering Epo as a pharmacological neuroprotective strategy in animal models and clinical trials. To date, various animal models have validated that Epo is an anti-apoptotic, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-excitotoxic, neurogenetic, erythropoietic, angiogenetic, and neurotrophic agent, thus preventing preterm brain injury. However, although the scientific rationale and preclinical data for Epo's neuroprotective effect are promising, when translated to bedside, the results vary in different studies, especially in its long-term efficacy. Based on existing evidence, it is still too early to recommend Epo as the standard treatment for preterm brain injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueling Ma
- Department of Neonatology, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University; National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders; Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders; Chongqing 400014, China
| | - Yuan Shi
- Department of Neonatology, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University; National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders; Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders; Chongqing 400014, China
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Kozhemiako N, Nunes AS, Vakorin VA, Chau CMY, Moiseev A, Ribary U, Grunau RE, Doesburg SM. Sex differences in brain connectivity and male vulnerability in very preterm children. Hum Brain Mapp 2019; 41:388-400. [PMID: 31587465 PMCID: PMC7267928 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.24809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2019] [Revised: 08/13/2019] [Accepted: 09/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Evidence indicates better cognitive and behavioral outcomes for females born very preterm (≤32 weeks gestation) compared to males, but the neurophysiology underlying this apparent resiliency of the female brain remains poorly understood. Here we test the hypothesis that very preterm males express more pronounced connectivity alterations as a reflection of higher male vulnerability. Resting state MEG recordings, neonatal and psychometric data were collected from 100 children at age 8 years: very preterm boys (n = 27), very preterm girls (n = 34), full‐term boys (n = 15) and full‐term girls (n = 24). Neuromagnetic source dynamics were reconstructed from 76 cortical brain regions. Functional connectivity was estimated using inter‐regional phase‐synchronization. We performed a series of multivariate analyses to test for differences across groups as well as to explore relationships between deviations in functional connectivity and psychometric scores and neonatal factors for very preterm children. Very preterm boys displayed significantly higher (p < .001) absolute deviation from average connectivity of same‐sex full‐term group, compared to very preterm girls versus full‐term girls. In the connectivity comparison between very preterm and full‐term groups separately for boys and girls, significant group differences (p < .05) were observed for boys, but not girls. Sex differences in connectivity (p < .01) were observed in very preterm children but not in full‐term groups. Our findings indicate that very preterm boys have greater alterations in resting neurophysiological network communication than girls. Such uneven brain communication disruption in very preterm boys and girls suggests that stronger connectivity alterations might contribute to male vulnerability in long‐term behavioral and cognitive outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nataliia Kozhemiako
- Department of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Adonay S Nunes
- Department of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Vasily A Vakorin
- Department of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada.,Behavioral & Cognitive Neuroscience Institute, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada.,Fraser Health, British Columbia Health Authority, Surrey, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Cecil M Y Chau
- Pediatrics Department, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,B.C. Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Alexander Moiseev
- Behavioral & Cognitive Neuroscience Institute, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Urs Ribary
- Behavioral & Cognitive Neuroscience Institute, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada.,B.C. Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,Department of Psychology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Ruth E Grunau
- Pediatrics Department, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,B.C. Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Sam M Doesburg
- Department of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada.,Behavioral & Cognitive Neuroscience Institute, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
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DuPont T, Chalak L. Future alternative therapies in the pipeline for mild neonatal encephalopathy: Review of evidence of neuroprotection with erythropoiesis stimulating agents. Early Hum Dev 2018; 120:95-98. [PMID: 29471979 DOI: 10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2018.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Tara DuPont
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, United States.
| | - Lina Chalak
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, United States
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Gasparovic C, Caprihan A, Yeo RA, Phillips J, Lowe JR, Campbell R, Ohls RK. The long-term effect of erythropoiesis stimulating agents given to preterm infants: a proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy study on neurometabolites in early childhood. Pediatr Radiol 2018; 48:374-382. [PMID: 29335880 PMCID: PMC5823776 DOI: 10.1007/s00247-017-4052-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2017] [Revised: 10/17/2017] [Accepted: 12/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Erythropoiesis stimulating agents (ESAs) are neuroprotective in cell and animal models of preterm birth. Prematurity has been shown to alter neurometabolite levels in children in studies using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS). OBJECTIVE We hypothesized that ESA treatment in premature infants would tend to normalize neurometabolites by 4-6 years of age. MATERIALS AND METHODS Children in a longitudinal study of neurodevelopment underwent MRI and 1H-MRS at approximately 4 years and 6 years of age. Prematurely born children (500-1,250 g birth weight) received ESAs (erythropoietin or darbepoetin) or placebo during their neonatal hospitalization, and these groups were compared to healthy term controls. 1H-MRS spectra were obtained from the anterior cingulate (gray matter) and frontal lobe white matter, assessing combined N-acetylaspartate and N-acetylaspartylglutamate (tNAA), myo-inositol, choline compounds (Cho), combined creatine and phosphocreatine, and combined glutamate and glutamine. RESULTS No significant (P≤0.5) group differences were observed for any metabolite level. Significant age-related increases in white-matter tNAA and Cho were observed, as well as a trend for increased gray-matter tNAA. CONCLUSION Neither prematurity nor neonatal ESA treatment was associated with differences in brain metabolite levels in the children of this study at a significance level of 0.05. These findings suggest that earlier differences that might have existed had normalized by 4-6 years of age or were too small to be statistically significant in the current sample.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ronald A. Yeo
- Department of Psychology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - John Phillips
- Mind Research Network, Albuquerque, NM,Department of Neurology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Jean R. Lowe
- Department of Pediatrics, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Richard Campbell
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Robin K. Ohls
- Department of Pediatrics, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
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