The effect of early recombinant erythropoietin and enteral iron supplementation on blood transfusion in preterm infants

Türker G., Sarper N., Gökalp A. S., Usluer H.

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PERINATOLOGY, vol.22, no.8, pp.449-455, 2005 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 22 Issue: 8
  • Publication Date: 2005
  • Doi Number: 10.1055/s-2005-918888
  • Journal Name: AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PERINATOLOGY
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.449-455
  • Keywords: erythropoietin, early iron supplementation, transfusion, BIRTH-WEIGHT INFANTS, NECROTIZING ENTEROCOLITIS, ERYTHROID PROGENITORS, PREMATURE-INFANTS, CELL TRANSFUSIONS, DOUBLE-BLIND, ANEMIA, REQUIREMENTS, RETINOPATHY, LESS
  • Kocaeli University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Premature infants < 1500 g were randomly assigned to study and control groups. In the study group, 42 premature infants received recombinant human erythropoietin (r-Hu EPO) 750 U/kg per week subcutaneously from day 5 to 40 and enteral iron supplementation of 2 to 6 mg/kg/d beginning on day 14 provided that they were receiving at least 50% energy intake orally. In the control group, 51 infants received the same dose of enteral. iron supplementation beginning at the end of the fourth week. At the end of a 12-week monitoring period, r-Hu EPO combined with early enteral iron reduced transfusion needs only in the subgroup < 1000 g. r-Hu EPO and early iron treatment had no effect on the development of severe retinopathy of prematurity, intraventricular hemorrhage, necrotizing enterocolitis, and bronchopulmonary dysplasia. We suggest that r-Hu EPO combined with early enteral iron is both effective and safe in infants < 1000 g.