Darbepoetin and brain development in children born very preterm
The Darbepoetin Kindergarten Development Study
Researchers are looking at whether a newborn medicine called darbepoetin helps thinking, movement, and behavior in children born very prematurely as they reach preschool and early school age.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Research Triangle Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Research Triangle Park, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11174226 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If your child was born very preterm and took part in the earlier Darbe Trial, this project follows them into preschool and early school years to check thinking, motor skills, and behavior at ages about 4–5 and 6–7 years corrected age. Children who received darbepoetin or placebo as neonates will have standardized cognitive, motor, and behavioral tests plus parent questionnaires and school-functioning measures. The study compares the original treatment groups over time and examines factors that might explain who benefits most. Study staff and families remain masked to original treatment assignments during testing visits.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are children born very preterm who were enrolled in the original neonatal Darbe Trial and are now roughly 4–7 years corrected age for planned follow-up visits.
Not a fit: Children who were not born very preterm, were not part of the original Darbe Trial neonatal treatment groups, or are outside the follow-up age window are unlikely to be eligible or to directly benefit from this follow-up.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could show that early darbepoetin treatment leads to better cognitive, motor, and behavioral outcomes and improved school readiness for children born very preterm.
How similar studies have performed: Preclinical work and early clinical data suggested potential benefit from darbepoetin, but long-term effects at preschool and school age remain uncertain and need this follow-up to clarify.
Where this research is happening
Research Triangle Park, United States
- Research Triangle Institute — Research Triangle Park, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bann, Carla M — Research Triangle Institute
- Study coordinator: Bann, Carla M
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.