Overview

Very preterm infants are prone to numerous medical complications with lifelong impact. Amongst the most serious are severe intraventricular hemorrhage (sIVH) and the subsequent progression to posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus (PHH). Currently, the only treatment for PHH is surgery, most commonly with shunts that are prone to malfunction across the lifespan. Preclinical data show that melatonin (MLT) and erythropoietin (EPO), when administered in a sustained dosing regimen, can prevent the hallmarks of progression from early postnatal sIVH to subsequent PHH. The investigators will perform a Phase I, single institution, randomized, double-blind trial for very preterm infants with sIVH to define a safe combination dose of MLT and EPO. A maximum of 60 very preterm neonates with sIVH will be enrolled, treated through 33w6/7d, and followed to 37w6/7d. Neonates will be randomized 3:1 between MLT+EPO and placebo, with all receiving standard of care. The primary endpoint is a composite serious adverse event (SAE)/dose limiting toxicity (DLT). The investigators hypothesize that the MLT+EPO SAE/DLT rate will not be higher than the placebo rate. Secondary outcomes will be rate of co-morbidities of preterm birth. Exploratory data, collected to guide design of future clinical trials for efficacy, will include serial neuro-imaging metrics acquired from clinical images, serial neonatal neurodevelopmental examinations, serum and urine MLT and EPO levels, and liquid biomarkers. Successful implementation of this initial safety trial will provide essential data to guide the next stage of clinical trials to test if sustained MLT+EPO treatment can reduce the need for surgical intervention, and avoid the lifelong burden of shunted hydrocephalus.

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

• Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) inpatients born at >22 and <32 wks gestation (born after 22w6d and before or on 31-6/7 wk GA)
• sIVH within the first 21 days from birth, defined as at least unilateral grade III on head ultrasound performed within the past 5 days
• expected to survive at least 3 days
• absence of a congenital anomaly of metabolic or genetic disorder with expected survival less than term equivalent
• approval of the primary neonatologist
• arterial or venous access
• appropriate caregiver to provide informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• life expectancy <3 days for any reason
• severe congenital anomaly or genetic disorder with life expectancy <40 w post-menstrual age (PMA)
• liver failure
• severe hematologic crisis such as disseminated intravascular coagulation
• hydrops fetalis
• polycythemia (hematocrit < 65%)
• hypertension for age requiring medication
• clinical concern or diagnosis of toxoplasmosis, cytomegalovirus, rubella or syphilis infection
• no appropriate person available or willing to provide informed consent