HIGH-DOSE VERSUS LOW-DOSE ERYTHROPOIETIN IN EXTREMELY LOW-BIRTH-WEIGHT INFANTS

Objective: To investigate whether a weekly 1500 IU/kg dose of recombin ant human erythropoietin (rhEPO) is more effective than a dose of 750 IU/kg/week in preventing anemia and reducing the transfusion need in i nfants with birth weights less than 1000 gm. Study design: In a random ized, double-blind, multicenter trial, 184 infants with birth weights between 500 and 999 gm were treated with either rhEPO 750 (low-dose gr oup) or 1500 IU/kg/week thigh-dose group) from day 3 of life until 37 weeks' corrected age. Results: Thirty-two percent of the infants in ea ch group did not receive any transfusion during the treatment period. The total volume of erythrocytes received was similar in each group. T he success rate, defined as no transfusion needed and hematocrit value 0.30 L/L or greater, was 27.6% in the low-dose and 29.5% in the high- dose group (p = 0.96). Conclusion: Doubling the rhEPO dose of 750 IU/k g/week is not indicated in infants with birth weights less than 1000 g m.