The Effects of Erythropoietin (EPO) on the Transfusion Requirements of Very Low Birth Weight Infants

Summary

This study tested the safety and efficacy of transfusing erythropoietin (Epo) and iron in infants of \<1,250g birth weight. For infants 401-1,000g birth weight, we tested whether early erythropoietin (Epo) and iron therapy would decrease the number of transfusions received. For infants 1,001-1,250g birth weight, we tested whether early erythropoietin (Epo) and iron therapy would decrease the percentage of infants who received any transfusions.

Timeline

Start

1997-08

Primary completion

1998-08

Completion

2000-08

Publications

• Results Ohls RK, Ehrenkranz RA, Wright LL, Lemons JA, Korones SB, Stoll BJ, Stark AR, Shankaran S, Donovan EF, Close NC, Das A. Effects of early erythropoietin therapy on the transfusion requirements of preterm infants below 1250 grams birth weight: a multicenter, randomized, controlled trial. Pediatrics. 2001 Oct;108(4):934-42. doi: 10.1542/peds.108.4.934.
• Results Ohls RK, Ehrenkranz RA, Das A, Dusick AM, Yolton K, Romano E, Delaney-Black V, Papile LA, Simon NP, Steichen JJ, Lee KG; National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Neonatal Research Network. Neurodevelopmental outcome and growth at 18 to 22 months' corrected age in extremely low birth weight infants treated with early erythropoietin and iron. Pediatrics. 2004 Nov;114(5):1287-91. doi: 10.1542/peds.2003-1129-L.

Drugs

Indications