effect of recombinant human erythropoietin on the erythropoiesis of preterm infants

ABSTRACT

Anemia of prematurity [AOP] is characterized by a low reticulocytic count and a low erythropoietin level, for which many preterm infants receive multiple blood transfusions. The present study investigated whether early treatment of such infants with a low dose of recombinant human erythropoietin [r-HuEPO] would stimulate erythropoiesis and reduce the need for blood transfusion. Twenty preterm infants were enrolled in the study. Ten infants were assigned to receive r-HuEPO in a dose of 150 IU/kg/dose twice weekly for 2 weeks. Ten preterm infants served as a control group. Hematologic measurements, and transfusion requirements were followed for 28 days. The mean hemoglobin and hematocrit levels showed a progressive and significant decrease by days 7, 14 and 28 p<0.0001 in both the study and control groups. However, the level was higher in the r-HuEPO treated group throughout the study. The corrected reticulocytic count on the other hand increased significantly in r-HuEPO treated infants on days 7, 14 and 28 [p<0.0001] while it decreased significantly in the control group. The need for blood transfusion was significantly less in the r-HuEPO treated group. The early use of small dose of r-HuEPO 150 IU/kg twice weekly effectively stimulated erythropoiesis, and reduced the need for blood transfusion in preterm infants