Objective: To investigate the protective effects of recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) on myocardial injury in neonates hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE)

and to analyze its possible mechanism. Methods: One hundred children with HIE treated in Tangshan Maternal and Child Health Hospital from May 2018 to May 2021 were extracted to be divided into the control group and the observation group via the random number table

with 50 cases in each group. The control group was treated with routine treatment

while the observation group received rHuEPO based on the control group

with the treatment course of 2 weeks. After treatment of 2 weeks

the efficacy of both groups was observed. Indicators related to myocardial injury such as myocardial nutritional factor-1 (CT-1)

myoglobin (Myo) and cardiac troponin I (cTnI)

oxidative stress such as glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px)

superoxide dismutase (SOD)

advanced protein oxidation products (AOPP)

reactive oxygen species (ROS)

inflammatory response such as interleukin-6 (IL-6)

tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)

IL-10

and brain injury such as neuron specific enolase (NSE) and S-100β protein before treatment and after treatment of 2 weeks were measured and compared between two groups. Adverse drug reactions of both groups during treatment were recorded. Results: After treatment of 2 weeks

the total effective rate in the observation group was higher than that in the control group

with statistically significant difference (P<0.05). After treatment of 2 weeks

the levels of CT-1

Myo and cTnI in both groups were lower than those before treatment

and the observation group was lower than the control group

with statistically significant difference (P<0.05). The levels of GSH-Px and SOD in both groups were higher than those before treatment

and the levels of AOPP and ROS were lower than those before treatment

the levels of GSH-Px and SOD in the observation group were higher than those in the control group

and the levels of AOPP and ROS in the observation group were lower than those in the control group

with statistically significant differences (P<0.05). After treatment of 2 weeks

the levels of IL-6

TNF-α and IL-10 in both groups were lower than those before treatment

and the observation group was lower than the control group

with statistically significant difference (P<0.05). After treatment of 2 weeks

the levels of NSE and S100β protein in both groups were lower than those before treatment

and the observation group was lower than the control group

with statistically significant difference (P<0.05). No obvious adverse drug reactions were observed in both groups. Conclusion: rHuEPO can effectively improve the therapeutic effect of children with HIE

protect against myocardial injury by improving oxidative stress and inflammatory response

and reduce brain nerve injury in children with higher safety.