Red blood cell transfusions in very and extremely low birthweight infants under restrictive transfusion guidelines: is exogenous erythropoietin necessary?
OBJECTIVE
To examine the number and volume of red blood cell transfusions (RBCTs) in very and extremely low birthweight infants under restrictive red blood cell transfusion guidelines without erythropoietin administration, and to compare the results with those reported in similar infants receiving erythropoietin.


METHODS
From April 1996 to June 1999, all RBCTs given to infants with a birth weight of less than 1500 g were prospectively recorded. Data on RBCT combined with erythropoietin treatment and RBCT guidelines were extracted from four prospective randomised trials of erythropoietin for anaemia of prematurity.


RESULTS
When the restrictive RBCT guidelines were followed, the number of RBCTs and volume transfused were similar to those reported during erythropoietin administration.


CONCLUSIONS
RBCT guidelines may have a similar impact on RBCT in very low birthweight infants to the administration of erythropoietin. The effect of RBCT guidelines on RBCT frequency should be considered when evaluating the efficacy of erythropoietin administration to preterm infants.
Franz
A R
AR
Department of Paediatrics, Division of Neonatology and Paediatric Critical Care, University of Ulm, 89070 Ulm, Germany. axel.franz@medizin.uni-ulm.de
Pohlandt
F
F
D017707:Erythrocyte Transfusion / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006400:Hematocrit; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D019102:Infant, Very Low Birth Weight; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D004921:Erythropoietin