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Effect of Recombinant Erythropoietin on “Late” Transfusions in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: A Meta-Analysis

Journal of Perinatology volume 22, pages 108–111 (2002)Cite this article

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Using the approach of a meta-analysis, we sought to determine whether the administration of recombinant erythropoietin (rEpo) to very low birth weight (VLBW) infants, after the first week of life, results in fewer “late” transfusions.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: The guidelines set forth by the Cochrane Neonatal Review Group were used to identify all relevant studies. Medline was searched from January 1990 to November of 2000. Studies that used a randomized, placebo-controlled, and double-masked design were deemed acceptable.

RESULTS: Eight studies meet the inclusion criteria. These involved 357 VLBW neonates: 183 rEpo and 174 placebo recipients. The neonates in the rEpo group received fewer erythrocyte transfusions during the study period than did those in the placebo group; the common odds ratio (OR)=0.33; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.21–0.51. Furthermore, the rEpo effect size was a function of the dose of rEpo administered (p=0.0001).

CONCLUSION: A meta-analysis of the most scientifically rigorous studies on this topic indicates that administration of rEpo to VLBW infants reduces “late” erythrocyte transfusions in a dose-dependent manner.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The National Institute of Perinatology, Mexico City, Mexico

    Maria G Garcia MD

  2. The Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, and the Division of Biostatistics, Department of Statistics, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, USA

    Maria G Garcia MD & Alan D Hutson PhD

  3. The Department of Pediatrics, University of South Florida and All Children's Hospital, St. Petersburg, FL, USA

    Robert D Christensen MD

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  1. Maria G Garcia MD
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  2. Alan D Hutson PhD
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  3. Robert D Christensen MD
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Garcia, M., Hutson, A. & Christensen, R. Effect of Recombinant Erythropoietin on “Late” Transfusions in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: A Meta-Analysis. J Perinatol 22, 108–111 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jp.7210677

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