Abstract
We investigated whether preventative treatment with rhEPO is safe and reduces the need for transfusion in preterm infants. 84 infants of 28 to 31 + 6 weeks gestation were stratified for artificial (vent, n=41) and spontanous ventilation (spont, n=43) and were randomized to a rhEPO- (n=39) and a control-group (n=45). rhEPO, 30 U/kg was given s.c. every 3rd day from day 4 until day 25. Infants received 2 mg iron per day from day 14. Indications for transfusion were clearly defined. No increase of mortality, necrotising enterocolitis or patent ductus arteriosus was observed in the rhEPO-group. Serum ferritin remained normal in both groups. Reticulocytes were 3.0% in the rhEPO- vs. 2.0% in the control-group on day 25.
Conclusion: rhEPO, 30 U/kg administered every third day had no adverse effects, increased reticulocyte formation slightly, but did not effectively reduce the preterm infants' need for transfusion.
Article PDF
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Obladen, M., Maier, R., Grauel, L. et al. 63 RECOMBINANT HUMAN ERYTHROPOIETIN (rhEPO) FOR PREVENTION OF ANAEMIAS OF PREMATURITY: A RANDOMIZED MULTICENTRE TRIAL. Pediatr Res 28, 287 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199009000-00087
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199009000-00087