RECOMBINANT-HUMAN-ERYTHROPOIETIN AND PARENTERAL IRON IN THE TREATMENTOF PREGNANCY ANEMIA - A PILOT-STUDY

Our aim was to correct severe iron deficiency anemia during pregnancy by using a combination therapy of recombinant human erythropoietin and parenteral iron. Eleven anemic pregnant women were treated once weekl y until a hemoglobin value of 11.0 g/dl was reached. Red blood cell pr oduction was monitored by reticulocyte flow cytometry and hemoglobin i ncrease. Iron status was assessed by serum ferritin values and transfe rrin saturation values. 8/11 patients showed an immediate response, no ted by a continuous increase of reticulocytes, high fluorescent reticu locyte ratio and hemoglobin levels. Three patients who had lower serum ferritin values, low transferrin saturation and a lower reticulocyte count before treatment showed little response. The combination of rhEP O and parenteral iron is effective in stimulating erythropoiesis and i n treating certain pregnancy anemias. This therapy could be an alterna tive for patients refusing blood transfusions or who are resistant to iron alone. Poor response to the treatment can be due to insufficient iron supplementation during therapy with rhEPO or due to factors that inhibit erythropoiesis during pregnancy, such as undetected infections .