Effect of short-term erythropoietin therapy in anemic premature infants.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effectiveness of a 10-day subcutaneous erythropoietin (rHuEpo) course of 300 units per kg per dose plus oral iron compared to oral iron alone in anemic infants during their convalescent phase of illness.


METHODS
Prospective, randomized trial performed at a 40-bed, teaching, referral, level III, neonatal intensive care unit. Infants with a gestational age at birth of less than 32 weeks, hematocrit of less than or equal to 28% with a corrected reticulocyte count of less than or equal to 5%, postconceptual age of less than 48 weeks or 5 months chronological age, and a diagnosis of anemia of prematurity were considered for inclusion. Major outcome parameters included hematocrit, corrected reticulocyte count and red cell transfusion requirements.


RESULTS
A total of 60 infants were enrolled (n=30 per group). Infants randomized to rHuEpo had a significantly higher post-treatment hematocrit and corrected reticulocyte count than infants in the iron only group (p<0.001). There was a trend towards fewer red cell requirements in the rHuEpo group.


CONCLUSIONS
The rHuEpo regimen studied here was associated with an acute improvement in hematocrit and corrected reticulocyte counts. This study did not demonstrate a statistically significant decrease in transfusion therapy, in part related to increased subsequent use of rHuEpo in the control group. Taken together, these data demonstrate that this regimen can effectively treat anemia in convalescent premature infants.
Reiter
Pamela D
PD
Department of Pharmacy (P.D.R.), Center for Pediatric Medicine, The Children's Hospital, Denver, CO 80218, USA.
Rosenberg
Adam A
AA
Valuck
Robert
R
Novak
Kathryn
K
D000751:Anemia, Neonatal / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003289:Convalescence; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D000068817:Epoetin Alfa; D017707:Erythrocyte Transfusion; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006397:Hematinics / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006400:Hematocrit; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D017701:Reticulocyte Count; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D006397:Hematinics; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D004921:Erythropoietin; D000068817:Epoetin Alfa