Double blind trial of recombinant human erythropoietin in preterm infants

Twenty four infants between 27 and 33 weeks' gestation were recruited into a double blind study to investigate the use of recombinant human erythropoietin (r-HuEpo) for the prevention of anaemia of prematurity. Between 50 and 150 U of r-HuEpo (n = 16) or placebo was administered subcutaneously...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Archives of disease in childhood 1993-03, Vol.68 (3 Spec No), p.291-296
Main Authors: Emmerson, A J, Coles, H J, Stern, C M, Pearson, T C
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Anemia, Neonatal - prevention & control
Anesthesia. Intensive care medicine. Transfusions. Cell therapy and gene therapy
Biological and medical sciences
Double-Blind Method
Drug Administration Schedule
Emergency and intensive care: neonates and children. Prematurity. Sudden death
Erythropoietin - administration & dosage
Female
Humans
Infant, Newborn
Infant, Premature
Infant, Premature, Diseases - prevention & control
Injections, Subcutaneous
Intensive care medicine
Male
Medical sciences
Recombinant Proteins - administration & dosage
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Twenty four infants between 27 and 33 weeks' gestation were recruited into a double blind study to investigate the use of recombinant human erythropoietin (r-HuEpo) for the prevention of anaemia of prematurity. Between 50 and 150 U of r-HuEpo (n = 16) or placebo was administered subcutaneously twice a week from 7 days of age until discharge. There was a significant increase in the reticulocyte count in infants receiving r-HuEpo sustained from the second week of treatment until discharge compared with placebo. There was a reduction in the number of transfusions required in the r-HuEpo group with only 47% requiring a transfusion compared with 87% in the placebo group. During treatment with r-HuEpo there was a significant rise in the red cell folate concentration, a significant fall in the ferritin concentration, and a significantly higher percentage of haemoglobin F at discharge suggesting active erythropoiesis. The study provides strong evidence for the efficacy of r-HuEpo in stimulating erythropoiesis and reducing the requirement for transfusions for anaemia of prematurity.
ISSN:0003-9888
1468-2044
DOI:10.1136/adc.68.3_Spec_No.291