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Comparison between one and three doses a week of recombinant erythropoietin in very low birth weight infants

Journal of Perinatology volume 31, pages 118–124 (2011)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Objective:

To compare transfusion requirements and erythropoietic response in preterms between schedules of rEPO administration once or three times per week, using the same weekly dose.

Study Design:

Prospective, randomized trial including infants weighing <1500 g at birth and/or were ⩽32 weeks’ gestation: Group 1 (60 infants) received subcutaneous rEPO at 250 units kg−1 per dose, three times weekly for 6 weeks; Group 2 (59 infants), at 750 units kg−1 per dose, once weekly for 6 weeks. Efficacy was evaluated based on the transfusion requirement, hemoglobin changes, reticulocyte counts, serum transferrin receptor (sTfR) and serum ferritin. The frequency of adverse effects was registered in both groups.

Result:

A total of 13 infants were transfused in each group (relative risk: 0.98; 95% confidence interval: 0.4 to 2.3). Phlebotomy loss and red blood cell transfusion volumes received were similar in both groups. Hemoglobin levels were lower at end of study in Group 2 (10.6±1.5 g dl−1 versus 11.5±1.4 g dl−1; P<0.003). At end of study, reticulocyte counts and sTfR values increased and serum ferritin values decreased, without significant differences between the two groups. Incidence of complications was similar in both groups.

Conclusion:

The once-weekly rEPO schedule for very low birth weight infants proved as effective as the three-times-weekly schedule, in relation to erythropoietic stimulus and transfusion requirement.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, Servicio de Pediatría, Hospital Torrecárdenas, Almería, Spain

    M Á Vázquez López, M Á Llamas, R Galera, A R Sanchez, F Lendinez, M Gonzalez-Ripoll, J Díez & A Bonillo

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  1. M Á Vázquez López
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  2. M Á Llamas
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  3. R Galera
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  4. A R Sanchez
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Correspondence to M Á Vázquez López.

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The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Additional information

RCT was registered by the RCT Committee of our Hospital and was approved on 29 January 2004 with number 36/2003.

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Vázquez López, M., Llamas, M., Galera, R. et al. Comparison between one and three doses a week of recombinant erythropoietin in very low birth weight infants. J Perinatol 31, 118–124 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1038/jp.2010.80

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