Could a weekly shot boost brain health in preterm infants?

NCT ID NCT03169881

Completed Disease control Sponsor: NICHD Neonatal Research Network Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jul 02, 2026 · Updated 2 times

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.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

cognitive disorder

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

NEONATAL NEUROCOGNITIVE NEURODEVELOPMENTAL IMPAIRMENT NEUROPROTECTIVE

Contacts and locations

Locations

Brown University - Women and Infants Hospital of Rhode Island

Providence, Rhode Island, 02905, United States
Case Western Reserve University, Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital

Cleveland, Ohio, 44106, United States
Cincinnati Children's Medical Center

Cincinnati, Ohio, 45267, United States
Duke University

Durham, North Carolina, 27710, United States
Emory University

Atlanta, Georgia, 30303, United States
RTI International

Durham, North Carolina, 27705, United States
Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital

Columbus, Ohio, 43205, United States
Stanford University

Palo Alto, California, 94304, United States
Univeristy of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104, United States
University of Alabama at Birmingham

Birmingham, Alabama, 35233, United States
University of Iowa

Iowa City, Iowa, 52242, United States
University of New Mexico

Albuquerque, New Mexico, 87131, United States
University of Rochester

Rochester, New York, 14642, United States
University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston

Houston, Texas, 77030, United States
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas

Dallas, Texas, 75235, United States
University of Utah

Salt Lake City, Utah, 84108, United States

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