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Recombinant Erythropoietin for Anaemia of Prematurity—When Should Treatment Start?
Author(s) -
Meyer Michael P
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
journal of pharmacy practice and research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.222
H-Index - 22
eISSN - 2055-2335
pISSN - 1445-937X
DOI - 10.1002/j.2055-2335.2007.tb00748.x
Subject(s) - medicine , erythropoietin , blood transfusion , cohort , pediatrics , retrospective cohort study , pregnancy , anesthesia , obstetrics , surgery , genetics , biology
Background Recombinant erythropoietin reduces blood transfusion requirements in preterm neonates weighing under 1000 g 30 days postpartum. The optimal timing of starting erythropoietin therapy to achieve this effect is unclear. Aim To ascertain the number of neonates receiving blood transfusions 30 days postpartum at an Auckland hospital. Method In this retrospective study, blood transfusion and donor requirements of a cohort of neonates starting treatment at 30 days of age were compared with a cohort treated at 14 days of age. Blood transfusion guidelines and treatment practices were the same for the two groups. Results The two groups were comparable with regard to demographic characteristics. 16/26 (62%) neonates treated from 30 days and 14/35 (40%) neonates treated from 14 days received a blood transfusion 30 days postpartum. This 22% difference was not statistically significant. The number of neonates exposed to at least one new donor 30 days postpartum was reduced from 11/26 (42%) to 11/35 (31%) with earlier commencement of treatment (not statistically significant). Conclusion There were trends suggesting that starting erythropoietin treatment from 14 days of age was beneficial in reducing blood transfusion and donor exposure compared to starting at 30 days. However, the differences were not statistically significant and definite conclusions cannot be reached.