Efficacy of recombinant erythropoietin for the late treatment of anemia of prematurity in a level IV neonatal intensive care unit: a retrospective single-center cohort study.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the population to which we administered recombinant erythropoietin and to determine the effectiveness of this treatment as quantified by the change in hematocrit.

STUDY

DESIGN

This retrospective chart review study included infants who received erythropoietin for the treatment of anemia of prematurity.

RESULTS

There were 132 infants representing 162 unique treatment courses included in the study. The average duration of therapy was 9 days (±7) and 6 doses (±2). The average change in hematocrit (Hct) was 6.2% (SD 3.9%, p < 0.001). Rise in Hct was associated with a higher number of rEPO doses (p < 0.001) and higher postmenstrual age (p < 0.001). In our small cohort we did not find an association between the number of rEPO doses and retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) requiring treatment.

CONCLUSION

Erythropoietin is safe and effective at treating anemia of prematurity as evidenced by a clinically and statistically significant increase in Hct from baseline.