Longitudinal Assessment of Preterm Infants Treated with Erythropoiesis Stimulating Agents.

We previously reported improved neurodevelopment at 2 and 4 years among preterm infants treated with erythropoietin or darbepoetin, known as erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs). We now characterize longitudinal outcomes through 6 years. Children randomized to ESAs or placebo were evaluated at 6 years. Healthy-term children served as controls. Tests of cognition and executive function (EF) were performed. Cognitive/EF scores remained similar between 4 and 6 years within each group (ESA: 43 children; placebo: 17 children; term: 21 children). ESA recipients scored higher than placebo on Full-Scale IQ (94.2 ± 18.6 vs. 81.6 ± 16.7, p = 0.022), and Performance IQ (97.3 ± 16.2 vs. 81.7 ± 15.2, = 0.005). Aggregate EF trended better for the ESA group. Term controls scored better than placebo on all measures. ESA and term controls scored similarly on cognitive and EF tests. ESA recipients had better outcomes than placebo recipients, and were similar to term children. ESAs may improve long-term cognition and executive function in preterm infants.

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