Early erythropoietin influences both transfusion and ventilation need in very low birth weight infants.
OBJECTIVE
The primary outcome measure of this study was the ability of rHuEPOα therapy to reduce transfusion needs, whereas secondary outcome measures were NICU-LOS and ventilation need.


METHODS
All babies with BW <1250 g and GA <30 were eligible. Thirty premature neonates were enrolled in the study (10 treated, 20 controls). rHuEPOα was administered as 300 IU/kg/dose 3 times/week subcutaneously. Iron, folic acid and Vitamin E supplementation were administered in both groups. Hematologic variables and blood sampling were recorded during the study.


RESULTS
In rHuEPO group, only four (40%) premature infants required a transfusion, averaging 0.4 ± 0.52 transfusions/pts. A total of 23 transfusions were administered to controls; 11 (55%) infants received one transfusion at least, 55% required multiple transfusions. The average number of transfusions/pts was statistically different (1.15  ±  1.46 vs. 0.4 ± 0.52; p = 0.02), as the cumulative number of transfused patients (55% vs. 40%; p<0.001). NICU stay was not statistically different, whereas ventilation-free days were increased in EPO group (p<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
R-Hu-EPO treatment in first post-natal weeks markedly enhanced erythropoiesis in severely premature infants compared with matched controls, with a significant impact on transfusion needs. EPO group experienced also a reduction of ventilation time and, possibly, a decreased occurrence of clinical BPD.
Neonatal ICU, S.Camillo-Forlanini General Hospital, Rome, Italy.
A
A
Tempera
E
E
Stival
M
M
Piastra
D
D
De Luca
C
C
Ottaviano
P
P
Tramontozzi
M
M
Marconi
C
C
Cafforio
P
P
Marcozzi
N
N
Rossi
E
E
Buffone
D000740:Anemia / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000628:therapy; D001803:Blood Transfusion / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006397:Hematinics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000628:therapy; D019102:Infant, Very Low Birth Weight; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; D007501:Iron / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012121:Respiration, Artificial / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D006397:Hematinics; D004921:Erythropoietin; D005492:Folic Acid; D007501:Iron