Managing the anemia of prematurity: red blood cell transfusions versus recombinant erythropoietin.
Transfusion-dependent anemia remains a problem for preterm infants, particularly those with a birth weight less than 1.0 kg. Several studies have documented the efficacy and safety of transfusing red blood cells stored up to 42 days as a means to diminish donor exposures. Recombinant erythropoietin therapy has not been widely adopted because it does not consistently reduce the need for red blood cell transfusions in very low-birth weight preterm infants.
Strauss
R G
RG
University of Iowa College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa 52242-1182, USA.
D000751:Anemia, Neonatal / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D017707:Erythrocyte Transfusion / Q000379:methods; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006400:Hematocrit; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000628:therapy*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins
D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D004921:Erythropoietin