title: How to administrate erythropoietin, intravenous or subcutaneous?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine whether adding recombinant erythropoietin to the intravenous (IV) solution and administering it as a 24-h continuous infusion would result in an erythropoietic effect not inferior to that seen with subcutaneous (SC) administration.
  
  
  METHODS
  Infants weighing ≤1500 grams and ≤32 weeks of gestational age were randomly assigned at 72 h of life to receive erythropoietin (300 units/kg, 3 times a week until 36 complete weeks of postmenstrual age or discharge), either subcutaneously [erythropoietin subcutaneous (ESC) group] or added to IV fluids [erythropoietin intravenous (EIV) group].
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hundred infants were randomized (50 in the EIV group and 50 in the ESC group). The incidence of transfusions was comparable in the two groups, similar in baseline characteristics and haematologic values at study entry. Phlebotomy losses did not differ between groups, and at the end of the study, there were no differences in reticulocyte counts, transferrin saturation and ferritin. No differences in the incidence of side effects were observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In preterm infants, continuous intravenous administration of erythropoietin was not inferior to SC dosing.
authors: Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy. simocosta@yahoo.it
authors: Simonetta
authors: S
authors: Costa
authors: Costantino
authors: C
authors: Romagnoli
authors: Antonio Alberto
authors: AA
authors: Zuppa
authors: Francesco
authors: F
authors: Cota
authors: Antonio
authors: A
authors: Scorrano
authors: Francesca
authors: F
authors: Gallini
authors: Luca
authors: L
authors: Maggio
mesh_terms: D000740:Anemia / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy*; D001803:Blood Transfusion / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D055103:Hypodermoclysis; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D017701:Reticulocyte Count; D014168:Transferrin / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D014168:Transferrin; D004921:Erythropoietin