Infants with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) are at high risk for neurodevelopmental impairment, despite current standards of care. Adjunctive treatments to promote brain repair are needed. The antidiabetic drug metformin has recently been recognized as a neurorestorative agent, but, to date, has not been used in infants. Herein, the investigator describes a clinical trial with the aim of demonstrating the safety and feasibility of metformin use to improve neurodevelopmental outcomes in infants with HIE.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
30
Metformin will be initiated at 25% of the target dose (4 mg/kg administered twice daily, total daily dose 8 mg/kg) for three weeks. In the absence of adverse effects, metformin dose will be escalated to 50% of the target dose (8 mg/kg administered twice daily for a total daily dose of 16mg/kg) for remaining 3 weeks to minimize potential gastrointestinal upset at higher doses. Parents will be documenting adverse events and performing glucometer checks twice a day for 3 days post dose escalation. Parents will then receive a 6-week supply of metformin at the target dose (16 mg/kg administered twice daily, total daily dose 32 mg/kg). Adverse events will be documented and glucometer checks will be performed twice a day for 3 days following dose escalation.
Boston Children's Hospital
Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Safety profile of kidney function
A renal function panel (chem 10 with renal function) will be performed prior to the initiation of therapy and at all subsequent study visits.
Time frame: 12 weeks
Safety profile of liver function
A liver function test (LFT) will be performed prior to the initiation of therapy and at all subsequent study visits.
Time frame: 12 weeks
Recruitment feasibility
To assess feasibility, the number of eligible patients will be compared to the number of patients who consent to participate in the study.
Time frame: 12 weeks
Validity of neonatal model of metformin pharmacokinetics
Plasma metformin levels will be analyzed by investigators with whole blood obtained at study visits.
Time frame: 12 weeks
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