Blood-Based Biomarkers Predict Cerebral Palsy and Cognitive Delay in Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy: A Secondary Analysis of the High-Dose Erythropoietin for Asphyxia and Encephalopathy Randomized Controlled Trial.
J PediatrJul 1, 2026 (epub)
Danielle Clifford, Conor L Vaughan, Seán J Costelloe et al.
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In 30 seconds
This secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial evaluated blood-based biomarkers in 180 infants with moderate-severe hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) to predict cerebral palsy (CP) and cognitive/language delay. The study found that Tau on day 2 of life had a receiver operating characteristic area under the curve (AUC) of 0.902 for predicting CP, comparable to MRI scoring.
Key findings
- Tau on day 2 of life had an AUC of 0.902 for predicting CP.
- The specificity and sensitivity of Tau for CP prediction were 91% and 88%, respectively.
- Different biomarkers predicted cognitive/language delay, with Tau showing an AUC of 0.669.
- MRI scoring on day 4-6 had an AUC of 0.90 for CP prediction.
Why it matters
Identifying biomarkers that can predict outcomes in infants with HIE is crucial for early intervention strategies. This study highlights the potential of blood-based biomarkers, particularly Tau, in prognostic assessments.