Effect of Allopurinol for Hypoxic-ischemic Brain Injury on Neurocognitive Outcome

Allopurinol, powder for injection (PFI), administered in two doses. First dose (20 mg/kg in 2ml/kg sterile water for injection) given as soon as intravenous access is established and no later than 30min postnatally and second dose (10mg/kg in 1ml/kg sterile water for injection) 12 hours thereafter. The second dose will only be administered to in infants on therapeutic hypothermia. Infants who recover quickly and do not qualify for and hence do not undergo hypothermia will not receive a second dose. Administration will be by continuous infusion using a syringe pump over 10min through secure venous access.

Placebo (Mannitol, PFI, 20mg/kg in the same volume and at the same time intervals as the intervention group - (2nd dose 10mg/kg only if infant undergoes therapeutic hypothermia)).