Systematic review seeking erythropoietin role for neuroprotection in neonates with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy: presently where do we stand

BACKGROUND: Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is one of the leading causes of neonatal mortality in developing countries and leads to some form of neuro-developmental disability in latter part of life. AIMS: The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of erythropoietin (EPO) in neuroprotection for term newborn having HIE. METHOD: The literature search was done for various trials by searching the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), PubMed, EMBASE, Web of science, Scopus, Index Copernicus, and other database. RESULTS: A total of nine studies fulfilled inclusion criteria. EPO has shown to cause reduction in death and disability, better long-term neuro-developmental outcome, improvement in EEG, and reduction in risk of cerebral palsy. CONCLUSION: EPO treatment has neuroprotective effects against moderate/severe HIE and improves long-term behavioral neurological developments in neonates.