Erythropoietin and intravenous iron therapy in postpartum anaemia.
BACKGROUND
We assessed whether recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO) enhances a rise in haemoglobin concentration in postpartum anaemia compared to intravenous iron alone.


METHODS
Some 60 patients with haemoglobin values <or=80 g/l were randomized within 72 h after parturition into 3 different treatment groups. All 3 groups were given a total dose of 450 mg intravenous iron sucrose. In addition, 2 groups were given 20,000 or 40,000 U of total rhEPO. All treatments were given on 2 occasions with an interval of 3 days (day 0 and 3).


RESULTS
Haemoglobin increased significantly in all 3 groups over time (p<0.001), and there were no differences between the different treatment groups on any day of evaluation (p=0.59). The total mean increment in haemoglobin in all subjects was 18 g/l after 1 week, and 28 g/l after 2 weeks.


CONCLUSIONS
In comparison to intravenous iron alone, the addition of rhEPO did not further increase haemoglobin concentration in women with postpartum anaemia.
Wågström
Elle
E
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, South Stockholm General Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden. elle.wagstrom@sodersjukhuset.se
Akesson
Agneta
A
Van Rooijen
Marianne
M
Larson
Barbro
B
Bremme
Katarina
K
D000328:Adult; D000740:Anemia / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006454:Hemoglobins; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D007501:Iron / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011644:Puerperal Disorders / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D006454:Hemoglobins; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D004921:Erythropoietin; D007501:Iron