title: A randomized, masked study of weekly erythropoietin dosing in preterm infants.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare reticulocyte responses of once-per-week erythropoietin (EPO) dosing with 3-times-a-week dosing in preterm infants.
  
  
  METHODS
  Infants weighing ≤ 1500 g and ≥ 7 days of age were randomized to once-per-week EPO, 1200 U/kg/dose, or 3-times-a-week EPO, 400 U/kg/dose, subcutaneously for 4 weeks, along with iron and vitamin supplementation. Complete blood counts, absolute reticulocyte counts (ARCs), transfusions, phlebotomy losses, and adverse events were recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty preterm infants (962 ± 55 g, 27.9 ± 0.4 weeks, 17 ± 3 days of age) were enrolled. Groups were similar at baseline. Infants in both groups had increased ARCs, which were similar between treatment groups at the start and end of 4 weeks. Hematocrit remained stable, and similar numbers of transfusions were administered. No adverse effects of either dosing schedule were noted.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Preterm infants respond to weekly EPO by increasing ARCs and maintaining hematocrit. We speculate that once-per-week EPO dosing might be beneficial to preterm infants requiring increased erythropoiesis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA. rohls@salud.unm.edu
authors.forename: Robin K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Ohls
authors.forename: Mashid
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Roohi
authors.forename: Hannah M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Peceny
authors.forename: Ronald
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Schrader
authors.forename: Ryann
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bierer
mesh_terms: D000751:Anemia, Neonatal / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001772:Blood Cell Count; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004906:Erythrocyte Count; D004920:Erythropoiesis / Q000187:drug effects*; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006400:Hematocrit; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D019102:Infant, Very Low Birth Weight / Q000097:blood*; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; D058085:Iron Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014815:Vitamins / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D058085:Iron Compounds; D014815:Vitamins; D004921:Erythropoietin