Aim: To investigate whether 1500 IU/kg/week erythropoietin(rhEPO) reduce transfusion need in infants < 1000 g more effectively than 750 IU/kg/week.
Study design: In a randomized double blind multicentre trial, 184 infants with birthweights 500 to 999 g were treated with rhEPO either 750 or 1500 IU/kg/week from day 3 of life until completion of 37 weeks of gestation. Oral iron supplementation started on day 3 and increased from 3 to 9 mg/kg/day.
Results: The failure free rate (= no transfusion and hematocrit never below 0.30 I/I) was 28% in the low-dose and 30% in the high dose group(n.s.). It was inversely related with birthweight, gestational age, and baseline hematocrit, and was almost zero in ventilated infants. Median hematocrit decrease was less pronounced (P = 0.048) in the high dose group (- 0.07 I/I versus - 0.10 I/I). Course of hemoglobin, neutrophils, platelets, serum iron, and transferrin saturation did not differ significantly between the two groups.
Conclusion: Increasing the rhEPO dose from 750 to 1500 IU/kg/week is not justified to prevent anemia in preterm infants < 1000 g.
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Supported by BMFT Public Health, 07PHF01, Project No. B3
Coordinating Centre of the European Study Group:
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Maier, R., Obladen, M., Kattner, E. et al. Erythropoietin, 750 Vs. 1500 Iu/Kg/Week In Infants < 1000 G 87. Pediatr Res 42, 399 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199709000-00107
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199709000-00107