A double-blinded prospective evaluation of recombinant human erythropoietin in acutely burned patients.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effects of recombinant human erythropoietin (r-HuEPO) in attempting to prevent anemia in acutely burned patients.


METHODS
Prospective double-blind randomized study of 40 patients.


METHODS
Patients with burns from 25% to 65% total body surface were enrolled. r-HuEPO or a placebo was begun within 72 hours of admission. Cell blood count, reticulocyte counts, transfusion requirements, and blood loss were measured. Comparison was carried out by the unpaired t test.


RESULTS
There was no statistically significant difference in hemoglobin, hematocrit, reticulocyte count, ferritin, serum iron, total iron blinding capacity, or transfusion requirements. In patients with burns from 25% to 35%, the reticulocyte counts were statistically significantly higher.


CONCLUSIONS
In our work the administration of r-HuEPO in acutely burned patients did not prevent the development of postburn anemia or decrease transfusion requirements. Increased erythropoiesis in smaller burns (25% to 35%) was observed and may indicate a reason for further study.
Still
J M
JM
Augusta Regional Medical Center, Georgia.
Belcher
K
K
Law
E J
EJ
Thompson
W
W
Jordan
M
M
Lewis
M
M
Saffle
J
J
Hunt
J
J
Purdue
G F
GF
Waymack
J P
JP
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000740:Anemia / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001803:Blood Transfusion; D002056:Burns / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017701:Reticulocyte Count
D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D004921:Erythropoietin