RCT of Erythropoietin (EPO) for CP

National Health and Medical Research Council

Chief Investigators: Liley, Novak, Colditz, Badawi, Hunt, Jacobs.

Rationale: Even with hypothermia, 46% term infants with moderate to severe HIE die or survive with major NDD.

Design: Phase III RCT multi-centre trial EPO plus hypothermia improves outcomes following HIE at 2 years, compared to hypothermia alone.

Update: 27 sites have recruited 258/300.

New Knowledge: EPO has neuroprotective effects distinct from hypothermia & may be additive.

Project members

Professor Iona Novak

Head of Research, Cerebral Palsy Alliance Research Institute
School of Medicine, The University of Sydney

Professor Paul Colditz

Director of the Perinatal Research Centre
The University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research

Professor Nadia Badawi

Macquarie Group Foundation Chair of Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral Palsy Alliance.
Neonatologist, Medical Director
Grace Centre for Newborn Care, Westmead

Professor Rod Hunt

Professor for paediatrics, Monash Children's Hospital