New Hormone Treatment May Reduce Damage To Brains Of Premature Babies

CBS Pittsburgh (con't)

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PITTSBURGH (KDKA) Not getting enough oxygen or blood flow to the brain of a premature baby can have long-lasting impact on strength, intellect and behavior.

All premature babies get screened for brain injury. We do weekly ultrasounds if theyve had some bleed, or less oxygen to their brain. And before discharge, we tend to do an MRI just to know exactly what the damage is, West Penn Hospital Neonatologist Dr. Nilima Karamchandani said.

The brains of premature babies are susceptible to damage, especially around the fluid-filled spaces called the ventricles.

Researchers wanted to know if damage could be stopped with a drug called erythropoietin, or EPO.

Its a hormone that regulates your bodys red blood cell production. With cell damage, it can also have some protective anti-inflammatory effects.

We have been looking for an agent, and this seems to be at the top of the list as something we can use to reduce the brain injury, Dr. Karamchandani said.

In a study of nearly 500 premature babies, half got EPO and half got a placebo. Doctors then analyzed their brain MRIs.

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New Hormone Treatment May Reduce Damage To Brains Of Premature Babies