Could a weekly shot boost brain health in preterm infants?
NCT ID NCT03169881
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jul 01, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This phase 3 trial tested whether giving preterm babies a drug called darbepoetin weekly could improve their brain development and reduce the need for blood transfusions. 650 infants born between 23 and 28 weeks of pregnancy were treated until they reached 35 weeks or went home. The study compared their cognitive scores at 22-26 months against a placebo group.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
Active substance
Darbepoetin
What this could lead to
If it works, this could point toward a treatment that helps preterm babies have better brain development and need fewer blood transfusions.
What could go wrong
This trial is completed but results are not yet widely confirmed. The benefit may be small or not apply to all preterm infants. Risks include potential side effects from the drug.
Disclaimer
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This is a summary of
the original study
.
Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
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Locations
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Brown University - Women and Infants Hospital of Rhode Island
Providence, Rhode Island, 02905, United States
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Case Western Reserve University, Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital
Cleveland, Ohio, 44106, United States
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Cincinnati Children's Medical Center
Cincinnati, Ohio, 45267, United States
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Duke University
Durham, North Carolina, 27710, United States
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Emory University
Atlanta, Georgia, 30303, United States
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RTI International
Durham, North Carolina, 27705, United States
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Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital
Columbus, Ohio, 43205, United States
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Stanford University
Palo Alto, California, 94304, United States
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Univeristy of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104, United States
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University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, Alabama, 35233, United States
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University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa, 52242, United States
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University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, New Mexico, 87131, United States
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University of Rochester
Rochester, New York, 14642, United States
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University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
Houston, Texas, 77030, United States
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University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas
Dallas, Texas, 75235, United States
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University of Utah
Salt Lake City, Utah, 84108, United States