Abstract
Introduction: We have recently reported that early administration ol high doses of EPO (1200IU/Kg/wk) in association with iron are elfective in reducing blood transfusions in premature infant, although the role of iron supplements during EPO therapy in low birth weight infants is still controversial.
Aims: To demonstrate the effect of iron supplements (20mg/kg/wk IV) on the erythropietic response of premature infants of gestational age (GA) less than 33 weeks and birth weight (BW) less than 1.75 kg receiving prophylactic administration of high doses of EPO (1200 fU/kg/wk).
Patients and study design: 36 infants randomly assigned to receive EPO (n;12, BW 1.26±0.26kg, GA 29.3±2.0wk) EPO+IRON (n: 10, BW 1.30±0.29kg, GA 29.6±2.1wk) or no EPO and no Iron= CONTROLS (n: 14, BW 1.29±0.23kg, GA 29.4±2.3wk) have completed the study to the present.
Conclusions: 1) Early administration of high doses of EPO with or without iron supplements reduces the need for blood transfusion. 2) Iron supplement in conjunction with EPO does not further reduce blood transfusions but yields higher reticulocytes and hematocrits after the fourth week of life. 3) Infants treated wilh EPO alone show signs of reduced iron stores.
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Carnielli, V., Riol, R., Montini, G. et al. IRON SUPPLEMENTATION ENHANCES THE RESPONSE TO HIGH DOSES OF RECOMBINANT ERYTHRPOIETIN IN PREMATURE INFANTS. Pediatr Res 32, 616 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199211000-00071
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199211000-00071