effect of human recombinant erythropoietin on prevention of anemia of prematurity

ABSTRACT

Premature infants often develop significant anemia that requires blood transfusion, this carries significant risks. This study was carried out to determine the effect of recombinant human erythropoietin [r-HuEPO] on prevention of anemia of prematurity. From April 2001 to March 2002, 24 neonates in newborn services at Amirkola children's hospital randomly were assigned to erythropoietin group and control [no treatment] group. Inclusion criteria were birth weight of gestational age hemolytic anemia, congenital infections, congenital malformations, severe asphyxia, intraventricular hemorrhage [grade III and IV], need for exchange transfusion and death during the first week of life. Erythropoietin group received r-HuEPO400 unit/kg/dose subcutaneously three times a week plus 4 mg/kg/day iron orally. White blood cell, hemoglobin [Hgb], hematocrit [Hct], platelet and reticulocyte count were obtained every 2 weeks until the 42[nd] day of life. Anemia was defined as Hgb Student t test and Fisher exact were used to evaluate differences between the two groups. Hemoglobin and hematocrit values were significantly higher in erythropoietin group than the control group after the 14th day of the study [P<0.04] and this difference was getting higher until the end of the trial [P<0.001]. Five neonates developed anemia; all of them were from control group. One of these neonates required transfusion. None of the erythropoietin group newborns developed anemia. The results of this study confirm the efficacy of recombinant human erythropoietin in the prevention of anemia of prematurity