IS THE USE OF RECOMBINANT-HUMAN-ERYTHROPOIETIN IN ANEMIA OF PREMATURITY COST-EFFECTIVE

In a double-blind placebo-controlled study we showed a 3-fold decrease in blood transfusions (BTFs) given to preterm infants with anaemia of prematurity who received recombinant erythropoietin. However, only 50 % of placebo recipients required a BTF. Data from the placebo group in dicated that either mean daily weight gain less than or equal to 7.5 g /day before study entry or haematocrit less than or equal to 50% at bi rth was associated with BTFs (P < 0.001). We calculated that giving er ythropoietin to patients in the treatment group with either of these v ariables prevented 24 of 28 BTFs and that it would cost R184 to preven t 1 BTF, The cost of each BTF was R187 (blood filtered to remove white cells and reduce cytomegalovirus transmission). Therefore, the costs of the two treatments were similar, but as the risk of transmitting in fection is lower with erythropoietin, we recommend its use in selected preterm infants.