High-versus low-dose erythropoietin in extremely low birth weight infants. The European Multicenter rhEPO Study Group.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether a weekly 1500 IU/kg dose of recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO) is more effective than a dose of 750 IU/kg/week in preventing anemia and reducing the transfusion need in infants with birth weights less than 1000 gm.


METHODS
In a randomized, double-blind, multicenter trial, 184 infants with birth weights between 500 and 999 gm were treated with either rhEPO 750 (low-dose group) or 1500 IU/kg/week (high-dose group) from day 3 of life until 37 weeks' corrected age.


RESULTS
Thirty-two percent of the infants in each group did not receive any transfusion during the treatment period. The total volume of erythrocytes received was similar in each group. The success rate, defined as no transfusion needed and hematocrit value 0.30 L/L or greater, was 27.6% in the low-dose and 29.5% in the high-dose group (p = 0.96).


CONCLUSIONS
Doubling the rhEPO dose of 750 IU/kg/week is not indicated in infants with birth weights less than 1000 gm.
Maier
R F
RF
Department of Neonatology, Charité-Virchow-Klinikum, Humboldt-Universität Berlin, Germany.
Obladen
M
M
Kattner
E
E
Natzschka
J
J
Messer
J
J
Regazzoni
B M
BM
Speer
C P
CP
Fellman
V
V
Grauel
E L
EL
Groneck
P
P
Wagner
M
M
Moriette
G
G
Salle
B L
BL
Verellen
G
G
Scigalla
P
P
D000740:Anemia / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001803:Blood Transfusion / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006400:Hematocrit; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D019102:Infant, Very Low Birth Weight / Q000097:blood; D007501:Iron / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D011994:Recombinant Proteins
D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D004921:Erythropoietin; D007501:Iron