Diabetes drug could help Babies' brains heal after birth injury

NCT ID NCT06429007

ENROLLING_BY_INVITATION Disease control Sponsor: Boston Children's Hospital Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This early-stage trial tests whether metformin, a common diabetes drug, is safe and feasible for infants who suffered brain injury from lack of oxygen at birth. Thirty infants under 6 months old will receive metformin for 6 weeks, with close monitoring of kidney and liver function. The goal is to see if metformin can promote brain repair and improve neurodevelopment.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: metformin
What this could lead to: If it works, this could point toward a treatment that helps infants recover brain function after birth injury, improving their development.
What could go wrong: This is a very early Phase 1 trial with only 30 infants, focused on safety and feasibility. It may not show any benefit, and metformin's effects in infants are unknown.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

brain hypoxia - ischemia brain injury neurodevelopmental disorder perinatal asphyxia

As listed by the trial registrant

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

HIE HYPOXIC-ISCHEMIC ENCEPHALOPATHY INFANT DEVELOPMENT NEURODEVELOPMENT

Contacts and locations

Locations

Boston Children's Hospital

Boston, Massachusetts, 02115, United States

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