Abstract
Preterm AGA infants with birth weights 900-1400 g are studied in this controlled randomized multicentertrial. The infants are followed from 3 to 8 weeks of age with a further assessment at the age of 16 weeks. Only “healthy preterms” are included. Human milk is given throughout the study, and both treatment group and controls receive extra protein and iron to ensure sufficient supply for increased red cell production. Milk protein (0.9 g/100 ml human milk) and oral iron (18 mg Fe++/day increasing to 36 mg/day if serum iron falls below 16 μmol/l) are given. EPO (Eprex, Cilag AG) is given s.c. thrice weekly; 100 IU/kg/dose from week 3 to week 7. Until now 24 children have been included (10 treated & 14 controls). Preliminary data show : BW of the groups are similar (1294 g and 1244 g). There is a significant increase in reticulocyte count after one week of EPO-treatment (8.5% vs. 4.5%, p < 0.01). Mean Hb concentrations after 3 and 4 weeks of EPO-treatment are 11.6 g/dl and 12.1 g/dl respectively. Similar control values are 10.1 g/dl and 9.8 g/dl, which are significantly lower (p<0.05). The calculated total red cell production increased rapidly and significantly (p<0.01) during the first week of EPO treatment, and remained higher than that of the control group during EPO treatment. Three children in the control group needed blood transfusions during the study, none in the treatment group. No adverse effects have been seen, particularly no low white cell counts or increased trombocytes.
Conclusion: EPO in doses of 100 IU/kg given s.c. thrice weekly stimulates erythropoiesis as measured by increased Hb and reticulocyte count in iron and protein supplemented premature infants. “Funded by Cilag AB, Norway”.
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Bechensteen, A., Hågå, P., Grgaard, J. et al. ERYTHROPOIETIN (EPO) TREATMENT OF PROTEIN AND IRON SUPPLEMENTED PREMATURE AGA INFANTS. Pediatr Res 32, 617 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199211000-00072
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199211000-00072