Document Detail


Follow-up of very low birth weight infants after erythropoietin treatment to prevent anemia of prematurity.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  7636658     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
OBJECTIVE: Treatment with recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) stimulates erythropoiesis and reduces the need for transfusions in hospitalized preterm infants. The aim of our study was to follow very low birth weight infants after the initial 6 weeks of rHuEPO treatment. DESIGN AND METHODS: We randomly assigned 97 very low birth weight infants with a gestational age of 31 weeks or less and birth weight of 1500 gm or less to receive rHuEPO, 300 units/kg per week (erythropoietin (EPO) 300, n = 33), rHuEPO, 750 units/kg per week (EPO 750; n = 28), or no treatment (control, n = 36). The rHuEPO was administered from the first week of life for 6 weeks. After EPO therapy was discontinued, 75 neonates were followed weekly until discharge and at 3, 6, and 12 months of age. RESULTS: Mean numbers (+/- SD) of packed erythrocyte transfusions per patient from the time rHuEPO therapy was discontinued until discharge were 0.38 +/- 0.64 (EPO 300), 0.23 +/- 0.52 (EPO 750), 0.9 +/- 1.1 (control) (p < 0.05 in both EPO groups vs control). Mean reticulocyte counts at the sixth week were 6% +/- 2.2% (EPO 300), 6.9% +/- 2.2% (EPO 750), and 3.1% +/- 2.6% (control) in the three groups (p < 0.01 in both EPO groups vs control), and at the eighth week were 4.7% +/- 2.8% (EPO 300), 5.4% +/- 2.7% (EPO 750), and 2.6% +/- 2.2% (control) (p < 0.01 in both EPO groups vs control). Serum ferritin levels were significantly higher at the sixth week, and the percentage of hemoglobin F was significantly lower at 6, 8, and 10 weeks in the control group versus EPO groups. At 3, 6, and 12 months of age, there were no differences in reticulocytes, ferritin, HbF, and growth among groups. CONCLUSION: Preterm infants who received rHuEPO had a normal pattern of erythropoiesis after the drug was discontinued. These data provide strong evidence that the anemia of prematurity is the result of a transient developmental abnormality in EPO production.
Authors:
V Soubasi; G Kremenopoulos; E Diamanti; C Tsantali; K Sarafidis; D Tsakiris
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Clinical Trial; Comparative Study; Journal Article; Randomized Controlled Trial    
Journal Detail:
Title:  The Journal of pediatrics     Volume:  127     ISSN:  0022-3476     ISO Abbreviation:  J. Pediatr.     Publication Date:  1995 Aug 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  1995-09-11     Completed Date:  1995-09-11     Revised Date:  2006-11-15    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  0375410     Medline TA:  J Pediatr     Country:  UNITED STATES    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  291-7     Citation Subset:  AIM; IM    
Affiliation:
Department of Neonatology, University of Thessaloniki, Hippokratio Hospital, Greece.
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Anemia, Neonatal / blood,  epidemiology,  prevention & control*
Drug Administration Schedule
Erythropoiesis / physiology
Erythropoietin / administration & dosage,  therapeutic use*
Ferritins / blood
Follow-Up Studies
Hematocrit
Humans
Infant, Low Birth Weight*
Infant, Newborn
Infant, Premature, Diseases / blood,  epidemiology,  prevention & control*
Recombinant Proteins / administration & dosage,  therapeutic use
Time Factors
Treatment Outcome
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
0/Recombinant Proteins; 11096-26-7/Erythropoietin; 9007-73-2/Ferritins

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