Synthetic erythropoietin, EPO, a hormone that encourages the formation of red blood cells, may help to reduce brain damage in very premature babies when administered in three doses immediately after birth. The study results are available in greater detail in the Journal of American Medical Association.

The results come from a team of infant brain imaging specialists from the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Geneva and the University Hospital of Geneva. When compared with infants born at full term, premature babies have a much greater risk of developing brain damage that results in neurodevelopmental delay that has the potential to persist throughout their lives.

Approximately 400,000 children are born before the 32nd week of pregnancy in Europe, with around 2.6 million worldwide, according to the World Health Organization. For premature babies, health risks include brain damage and incomplete maturation of the brain, particularly the matter that forms information within the nervous system.

EPO, which is known among athletes for its doping effects, is a common form of treatment for anemia. In addition, it also reduces the need for blood transfusions among preterm infants.

The study’s co-author, Russia Ha-Vinh Leuchter, said in a statement, “We found that the brains of the children who had received the treatment had much less damage than those in the control group, who had been given a placebo.” Leuchter continued, “This is the first time that the beneficial effect of the EPO hormone on the brains of premature babies has been shown.”

According to WebMD, erythropoietin is useful for treating anemia, and it helps to elevate or maintain levels of red blood cells, which reduces the need for blood transfusions.