Prophylatic effect of recombinant human erythropoietin on bronchopulmonary dysplasia in preterm infants / 中华围产医学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To evaluate the prophylatic effect of recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO) on bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) of preterm infants. Methods One hundred and fifty-five infants who were born at 26-29+6 weeks of gestation in Department of Neonatology, Guangdong Women and Children Hospital from January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2010 were randomly assigned to rhEPO-treated group (n=78) and control group (n=77) on admission. Randomization was stratified according to gestational age (26 or 27 weeks and 28 or 29 weeks). rhEPO-treated group was given the rhEPO at 300 U/kg, but none for the control group. Forty-eight hours after birth, rhEPO was injected subcutaneously every other day, three times a week for 4 weeks. The supportive care was same in the two groups. The outcomes at 36 weeks gestation included(1) mortality of the infants;(2) incidence and severity of BPD;(3) rates of the complications, such as pneumonia, sepsis, necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), and retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) ; and (4) duration of oxygen and ventilation support. Mann-Whitney U, χ2, Fisher's exact or t test were used for statistical analysis. Results The incidence of BPD in rhEPO-treated group was lower than in the control group [18.6%(11/59) vs 36.8%(25/68),χ2=5.107,P=0.030), but there was no difference in the severity of BPD (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in the mortality rate between the two groups [12.8%(10/78)vs 7.8%(6/77), P>0.05]. The duration of the mechanical ventilation and oxygen therapy was shorter in rhEPO-treated group than in the control group [oxygen therapy166.4(138.9-198.1) h vs 288.9(287.4-312.9)h, U=361.000;mechanical ventilation80.5(67.7-95.1) h vs 150.4(148.9-151.9) h, U=88.000;both P0.05). Conclusion Prophylatic treatment of rhEPO in preterm infants could decrease the incidence of BPD, and reduce the duration of the mechanical ventilation and oxygen therapy, but without increasing any side effects.