ERYTHROPOIETIN LEVELS IN NEONATAL HYPERVISCOSITY

Top of pageAbstract In order to investigate the role of erythropoietin in the neonatal hyperviscosity syndrome serum levels of the hormone were measured with an in vitro enzyme immunoassay in 10 full-term neonates with hyperviscosity and compared to those found in 10 normal newborns, 5 prematures and 10 normal controls. The neonates with hyperviscosity had venous Hct from 65-80% and in 4 of them partial exchange transfusion was performed. Erythropoietin levels were low in all cases of hyperviscosity (mean 14miu/ml) ranging from undetectable to 28miu/ml (Normal controls 45miu/ml, fullterms 47.6miu/ml, preterms 28-3miu/ml). Reevaluation of erythropoietin levels in 3 neonates with hyperviscosity 6 months later showed an increase of the hormone level (mean 45miu/ml mean Hct 36%). These results seem to indicate that in neonatal hyperviscosity erythropoietin is decreased but its feed-back production mechanism remains intact.