title: Recombinant human erythropoietin in a triplet pregnancy: a case report.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Women carrying triplets are at greater risk for both anemia, due to the increased demands of the developingfetuses, and peripartum hemorrhage. Jehovah's witnesses are a unique obstetric population since women of this faith refuse blood transfusion.
  
  
  METHODS
  A Jehovah's Witness with a triplet pregnancy was successfully administered recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEpo), 200 IU/kg 3 times per week subcutaneously, in order to correct her peripartum anemia. No side effects were observed during rHuEpo therapy, and the patient delivered healthy triplets.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  rHuEpo can be safely administered, with a beneficial effect in pregnancy, and seems to be an effective option in preventing transfusions as demonstrated in this case in a Jehovah's Witness.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical School, University of Thessalia, Greece. lialiosg@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Georgios
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lialios
authors.forename: Athanasios
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kallitsaris
authors.forename: Konstantinos L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Bourantas
authors.forename: Ioannis E
authors.initials: IE
authors.lastname: Messinis
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D018798:Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001803:Blood Transfusion; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D033221:Jehovah's Witnesses; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D014310:Triplets
chemical_list: D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D004921:Erythropoietin