A double-blinded prospective evaluation of recombinant human erythropoietin in acutely burned patients

Objective To evaluate the effects of recombinant human erythropoietin (r-HuEPO) in attempting to prevent anemia in acutely burned patients. Design Prospective double-blined randomized study of 40 patients. Methods Patients with burns from 25% to 65% total body surface were enrolled. r-HuEPO or a placebo was begun within 72 hours of admission. Cell blood count, reticulocyte counts, tranfusion requirements, and blood loss were measured. Comparison was carried out by the unpaired t test. Main Results There was no statistically significant difference in hemoglobin, hematocrit, reticlocyte count, ferritin, serum iron, total iron blinding capacity, or transfusion requirements. In patients with burns from 25% to 35%, the reticulocyte counts were statistically significantly higher. Conclusion In our work the administation of r-HuEPO in acutely burned patients did not prevent the development of postburn anemia or decresase transfusion requirements. Increased erythropoiesis in smaller burns (25% to 35%) was observed and may indicate a reason for further study.