Population Pharmacokinetics of Darbepoetin Alfa in Conjunction with Hypothermia for the Treatment of Neonatal Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

12-2015

Abstract

Aim

The aim of this study was to determine the population pharmacokinetics of darbepoetin alfa in hypothermic neonates with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy treated with hypothermia.

Methods

Neonates ≥36 weeks gestation and <12 h postpartum with moderate to severe hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy who were undergoing hypothermia treatment were recruited in this randomized, multicenter, investigational, new drug pharmacokinetic study. Two intravenous darbepoetin alfa treatment groups were evaluated: 2 and 10 μg/kg. Serum erythropoietin concentrations were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Monolix 4.3.1 was used to estimate darbepoetin alfa clearance and volume of distribution. Covariates tested included: birthweight, gestational age, postnatal age, postmenstrual age, sex, Sarnat score, and study site.

Results

Darbepoetin alfa pharmacokinetics were well described by a one-compartment model with exponential error. Clearance and the volume of distribution were scaled by birthweight (centered on the mean) a priori. Additionally, gestational age (also centered on the mean) significantly affected darbepoetin alfa clearance. Clearance and volume of distribution were estimated as 0.0465 L/h (95 % confidence interval 0.0392–0.0537) and 1.58 L (95 % confidence interval 1.29–1.87), respectively.

Conclusions

A one-compartment model successfully described the pharmacokinetics of darbepoetin alfa among hypothermic neonates treated for hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. Clearance decreased with increasing gestational age.

DOI

10.1007/s40262-015-0286-y

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