THE USE OF RECOMBINANT-HUMAN-ERYTHROPOIET IN IN INFANT ANEMIAS

The use of recombinant human erythropoietin in infant anemias. E. F. M orschakova, A. V. Dmitriev, I. P. Kukushkina, I. P. Borisova, M. V. Vi rivskaya, E. A. Ryko. Ryazan Branch of Research Institute for Pediatri c Hematology, Ryazan Children's Hospital, Russia. Ten infants under 1 year of age suffering from normochromic anemias (7 of them were premat urely born after 27-30 weeks of gestation) received recombinant erythr opoietin (rEPO) in a mean dose 200 IU/kg s.c., 2-3 times a week. A pos itive effect of rEPO in mature infants was evident in two weeks: hemog lobin level reached 20-40 g/l, reticulocyte count went up. After 3-4 w eeks of rEPO administration to premature infants the number of reticul ocytes increased 13 times and after 8 weeks erythropoiesis returned to normal. In control premature infants treated without rEPO erythropoie sis depression necessitated transfusions of erythrocytic mass.