Doubleblind trial ofrecombinant human erythropoietin inpreterminfants

Twentyfourinfants between27and 33 weeks'gestation were recruited intoa doubleblindstudytoinvestigate theuse of recombinanthuman erythropoietin (r-HuEpo) fortheprevention ofanaemia ofprematurity. Between50and150U of r-HuEpo(n=16) or placebo was administeredsubcutaneously twicea weekfrom 7daysofage until discharge. Therewas a significant increase in thereticulocyte countininfants receiving r-HuEposustainedfromthesecondweekoftreatment untildischarge comparedwithplacebo. Therewas a reduction inthenumberof transfusions requiredin ther-HuEpo group withonly47% requiring a transfusioncomparedwith87%intheplacebo group. Duringtreatmentwithr-HuEpo there was a significant riseintheredcell folate concentration, a significant fallin theferritin concentration, anda significantly higherpercentageofhaemoglobin F atdischarge suggesting active erythropoiesis. The studyprovidesstrong evidencefortheefficacy ofr-HuEpoin stimulating erythropoiesis andreducing the requirementfor transfusions for anaemiaofprematurity. (Arch DisChild 1993;68:291-296)