Erythropoietin (EPO), a hormone naturally produced by our own body, is essential for red cell production and therefore used to treat anaemia in preterm infants.

In higher doses, EPO has attracted interest as it has been shown to be neuroprotective and neurotrophic in animals after acute brain damage as well as in adult stroke patients. To take full neuroprotective effect, EPO must be given intravenously.

EPO administered to very preterm infants for both, prolonged period of times and at high doses has been found to be remarkably safe.