Comparative effectiveness of application of different doses recombinant anthropic eruthropoetin in prophylaxis and in treatment of incipient anemia of prematurely born children

In conrolled randomized trial were evaluated the erythropoietic response one times a week dosages of recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO) and potentiality for reduction the need for erythrocyte transfusions in low birth weight infants. 94 preterm infants of 26-32 weeks' gestation were treated with either subcutaneous rhEPO (group 1 - 500 U/kg, group 2 - 1000 U/kg once a week) or placebo (group 3) in randomized controlled clinical trial. Treatment started on the 3th day of life and lasted 6 weeks. All patients received oral iron (4 mg/kg daily) and were managed according to uniform conservative transfusion guidelines. By 3 weeks reticulocyte counts was significantly higher in infants of trial group than in placebo group. Postnatal decline of hemoglobin and hematocrit was lessened in the treated groups comparing placebo. The need for blood transfusion was also significantly reduced. No adverse effects of rhEPO or supplemental iron occurred. Our results suggest that the early start of treatment with rhEPO using once a week stimulates erythropoiesis, prevents severe anemia, reduces erythrocyte transfusions, and appears safe in low birth weight infants who are receiving iron supplements.