title: Erythropoietin and intravenous iron therapy in postpartum anaemia.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, South Stockholm General Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden. elle.wagstrom@sodersjukhuset.se
authors.forename: Elle
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Wågström
authors.forename: Agneta
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Akesson
authors.forename: Marianne
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Van Rooijen
authors.forename: Barbro
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Larson
authors.forename: Katarina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bremme
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D006454:Hemoglobins; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D004921:Erythropoietin; D007501:Iron