Enteral erythropoietin increases plasma erythropoietin level in preterm infants: a randomized controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effects of enteral administration of recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO) on serum level of erythropoietin and erythropoiesis in preterm infants.


METHODS
Randomized controlled trial.


METHODS
Level III NICU.


METHODS
16 preterm infants less than 34 wk with birth weight less than 1800 g.


METHODS
Enteral rhEPO 400 U/kg, three times/week, plus FeSO4,3-6 mg/Kg/day ( Study group, n = 7) or FeSO4 only (Control group, n = 9).


METHODS
Hemoglobin, serum erythropoietin (EPO), reticulocyte count, and serum ferritin levels, measured at baseline, after 10 days and at discharge.


RESULTS
Mean birth weight and gestational age for the Study and the Control groups were 1328.5 +/- 267.4 vs. 1392.8 +/- 196.7 g and 30.7 +/- 2.5 vs. 30.2 +/- 0.9 weeks, respectively. At discharge, there was no difference in hemoglobin or hematocrit but the reticulocyte counts were significantly higher in the Study group (1.4 +/- 0.7 vs. 0.7 +/- 0.4, P = 0.03). Serum erythropoietin level was significantly higher in the Study group (18 +/- 11 vs. 8.6 +/- 3.9 mU/mL, P = 0.006). Conversely, serum ferritin level was lower in the study group but did not achieve statistical significance.


CONCLUSIONS
Enteral administration of rhEPO in preterm infants resulted in increase in serum erythropoietin and reticulocyte counts at the time of discharge without significantly affecting hemoglobin or hematocrit.
Pasha
Y Zahed
YZ
Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, Amirkola Childrens Hospital, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Amirkola, Mazandran, Islamic Republic of Iran. yzpasha@yahoo.com
Ahmadpour-Kacho
M
M
Hajiahmadi
M
M
Hosseini
M B
MB
D004750:Enteral Nutrition; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn / Q000097:blood*; D007234:Infant, Premature; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D017701:Reticulocyte Count
D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D004921:Erythropoietin