Original Article
Journal of Perinatology (2005) 25, 125–129. doi:10.1038/sj.jp.7211220 Published online 4 November 2004
Effect of Short-Term Erythropoietin Therapy in Anemic Premature Infants
There are no conflicts of interests with any of the authors.
This Research was supported by Grant Number M01 RR000069 General Clinical Research Centers Program National Centers for Research Resources NIH.
Pamela D Reiter Pharm D1,2, Adam A Rosenberg MD3, Robert Valuck RPh, PhD4 and Kathryn Novak RN5
- 1Department of Pharmacy (P.D.R.), Center for Pediatric Medicine, The Children's Hospital, Denver, CO, USA
- 2School of Pharmacy (P.D.R.), University of Colorado, Denver, CO, USA
- 3School of Medicine (A.A.R.), University of Colorado, Denver, CO, USA
- 4Department of Clinical Pharmacy (R.V.), School of Pharmacy, The University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver, CO, USA
- 5Health Sciences Center (K.N.), University of Colorado, Denver, CO, USA
Correspondence: Pamela Reiter, Pharm D, Department of Pharmacy, Center for Pediatric Medicine, The Children's Hospital, 1056 East 19th Avenue, Denver, CO 80218, USA
Abstract
OBJECTIVE:
To determine the effectiveness of a 10-day subcutaneous erythropoietin (rHuEpo) course of 300 units per kg per dose plus oral iron compared to oral iron alone in anemic infants during their convalescent phase of illness.
STUDY DESIGN:
Prospective, randomized trial performed at a 40-bed, teaching, referral, level III, neonatal intensive care unit. Infants with a gestational age at birth of less than 32 weeks, hematocrit of less than or equal to 28% with a corrected reticulocyte count of less than or equal to 5%, postconceptual age of less than 48 weeks or 5 months chronological age, and a diagnosis of anemia of prematurity were considered for inclusion. Major outcome parameters included hematocrit, corrected reticulocyte count and red cell transfusion requirements.
RESULTS:
A total of 60 infants were enrolled (n=30 per group). Infants randomized to rHuEpo had a significantly higher post-treatment hematocrit and corrected reticulocyte count than infants in the iron only group (p<0.001). There was a trend towards fewer red cell requirements in the rHuEpo group.
CONCLUSIONS:
The rHuEpo regimen studied here was associated with an acute improvement in hematocrit and corrected reticulocyte counts. This study did not demonstrate a statistically significant decrease in transfusion therapy, in part related to increased subsequent use of rHuEpo in the control group. Taken together, these data demonstrate that this regimen can effectively treat anemia in convalescent premature infants.
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