[Does human recombinant erythropoetin /R-HU-EPO/ treatment for anemia of prematurity have any effect on reducing the number of blood transfusions?].

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study is to establish the influence of r-hu-EPO treatment for anemia of prematurity on changes in blood count values and the number of inevitable blood transfusions in premature infants.

STUDY DESIGN: The study includes 148 newborn babies--birth weight < or =1400 g, gestational age < or =34 g.w. They were divided in 2 groups: group I--treated with r-hu-EPO 1000 E/kg/week and Fe++ 3-6 mg/kg/day from week 3 after birth; group II--controls, treated only with transfusions of red blood cells. The changes in blood count values (Hb, Ht, Ery, Ret) from day 15-25 until day 60-70 were followed and analyzed, as well as the number of inevitable blood transfusions.

RESULTS: A significant increase in Hb and Ht values was established with r-hu-EPO treated babies. At day 60-70 mean values of Hb are: in r-hu-EPO group 111.1 +/- 11.06 g/l; in control group 99.20 +/- 10.77 g/l (p < 0.001). At the end of the period Ht is 32.02 +/- 3.28% in babies treated with r-hu EPO versus 29.10 +/- 2.87% with controls (p < 0.005). Ret count is significantly higher from day 25-30 in r-hu-EPO group (5.16 +/- 3.23%) versus controls (2.75 +/- 1.33%). Mean number of inevitable blood transfusions in r-hu-EPO treated group is significantly lower (2.06 +/- 1.62) versus controls--3.75 +/- 1.95 (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION: r-hu EPO treatment has effect on changes in Hb, Ht, Ret and reduces the number of inevitable blood transfusions for anaemia of prematurity.