[Erythropoietin treatment in critically ill children].
OBJECTIVE
To analyze whether erythropoietin treatment increases hemoglobin and decreases transfusion requirements in critically ill children.


METHODS
We performed an observational, prospective study of 23 critically ill children aged between 1 month and 6 years. Recombinant human eritropoietin (rHuEPO) was administered at a dosage of 150-750 U/kg/week over 3 days. Hemogram, reticulocyte, iron metabolism, serum ferritin and transferrin were measured before treatment started and weekly thereafter.


RESULTS
After erythropoietin treatment, hematocrit, hemoglobin and red blood cells progressively increased, with a maximal response in the sixth week. At the end of treatment, hemoglobin increased 1.68 g/dl, hematocrit by 5 % and erythrocytes 600,000/ml/mm3. Transfusion requirements decreased from 59 transfusions at baseline to 12 in the first week of treatment and none from the sixth week. No treatment-related adverse effects were observed.


CONCLUSIONS
Erythropoietin can be an effective treatment for anemia in some critically ill children, decreasing the number of transfusions and increasing hemoglobin.
Chacón Aguilar
R
R
Sección de Cuidados Intensivos Pediátricos, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain.
Escorial Briso-Montiano
M
M
Sopetrán Rey García
M
M
García Sanz
C
C
Rupérez Lucas
M
M
López-Herce Cid
J
J
D000740:Anemia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D016638:Critical Illness; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies
D004921:Erythropoietin