The advantages of intravenous renal anaemia treatment in an undernourished patient with chronic kidney disease.

The subcutaneous (SC) treatment of renal anaemia in undernourished patients has potential limitations. In this case report we demonstrate the value of intravenous (IV) darbepoetin alfa in such a patient who experienced difficulty tolerating SC recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) therapy due to severe malnutrition. Intravenous treatment of renal anaemia in a malnourished patient is preferred because the absence of SC fat makes SC administration difficult. In such patients, darbepoetin alfa is the treatment of choice as it is administered less frequently than other erythropoietic therapies and is more effective at maintaining target haemoglobin (Hb) concentrations. In contrast to rHuEPO, darbepoetin alfa also has the additional advantage of bioequivalent IV and SC dose requirements.