The Effect of Human Recombinant Erythropoietin on Prevention of Anemia of Prematurity

Objective: Premature infants often develop significant anemia that requires blood transfusion, thiscarries significant risks. This study was carried out to determine the effect of recombinant humanerythropoietin (r-HuEPO) on prevention of anemia of prematurity.Material Methods: From April 2001 to March 2002, 24 neonates in newborn services at Amirkolachildren s hospital randomly were assigned to erythropoietin group and control (no treatment) group.Inclusion criteria were birth weight of ≤1750 grams and gestational age ≤34 weeks. Exclusion criteriawere problems of hemolytic anemia, congenital infections, congenital malformations, severeasphyxia, intraventricular hemorrhage (grade III and IV), need for exchange transfusion and deathduring the first week of life. Erythropoietin group received r-HuEPO400 unit/kg/dose subcutaneouslythree times a week plus 4 mg/kg/day iron orally. White blood cell, hemoglobin (Hgb), hematocrit(Hct), platelet and reticulocyte count were obtained every 2 weeks until the 42nd day of life. Anemiawas defined as Hgb≤8gr/dl and Hct≤24%. Student t test and Fisher exact were used to evaluatedifferences between the two groups.Findings: Hemoglobin and hematocrit values were significantly higher in erythropoietin group thanthe control group after the 14th day of the study (P 0.04) and this difference was getting higher untilthe end of the trial (P 0.001). Five neonates developed anemia; all of them were from control group.One of these neonates required transfusion. None of the erythropoietin group newborns developedanemia.Conclusion: The results of this study confirm the efficacy of recombinant human erythropoietin inthe prevention of anemia of prematurity.