Spinal cord injury and serum erythropoietin.

The origin of the temporary reduction in hematocrit and hemoglobin occurring after spinal cord injury (SCI) may be related to the neurologic dysfunction and to a change in erythropoietin (Ep) synthesis and/or secretion. Serum Ep, vital capacities, and numerous hematologic profiles were obtained in 12 cervical SCI patients during the first 12 weeks and 13th to 27th post-injury weeks, and in 8 thoracic SCI patients during the first 8 weeks and 9th to 28th weeks. Serum iron, iron binding, and saturation were obtained in 4 cervical SIC patients and blood gases in 10 patients with cervical SCI and in 6 with thoracic SCI. The results in all patients showed increased Ep values, returning to normal after 8 weeks in the thoracic SCI patients only. The few results on iron kinetics showed a tendency to low values, suggesting the necessity for further investigation. In an attempt to explain the Ep increase in SCI patients, the relative influence of the renal pelvic nerves and of the sympathetic nerves on its secretion, are examined.