Effect of short term recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) therapy in the prevention of anemia of prematurity (AOP) in very low birth weight (VLBW) neonates

Authors

  • BHN Yasmeen Department of Pediatrics, Northern International Medical College, Dhanmondi, Dhaka
  • MAKA Chowdhury Department of Neonatology, Bangladesh Institute of Child Health & Dhaka Shishu (Children) Hospital, Dhaka
  • MM Hoque Department of Neonatology, Bangladesh Institute of Child Health & Dhaka Shishu (Children) Hospital, Dhaka
  • MM Hossain Department of Neonatology, Bangladesh Institute of Child Health & Dhaka Shishu (Children) Hospital, Dhaka
  • R Jahan Bangladesh Institute of Child Health & Dhaka Shishu (Children ) Hospital, Dhaka
  • S Akhtar Department of Pediatrics, Enam Medical College, Savar

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3329/bmrcb.v38i3.14340

Keywords:

recombinant human erythropoietin, anemia of prematurity, neonates

Abstract

Premature infants especially those with birth weight <1500 g suffer from Anaemia of prematurity (AOP) and associated problems. Erythropoietin therapy is a safe effective way to prevent and to treat anaemia of prematurity. To evaluate the effect of short term administration of recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) with iron and folic acid in very low birth weight (VLBW) neonates in the prevention of anaemia of prematurity. A randomized controlled trial was carried out at Dhaka Shishu Hospital. Sixty preterm very low birth weight (PTVLBW) babies were enrolled in this study. Thirty were assigned to rHuEPO group and 30 as control. Baseline haematologic values were estimated before administration of rHuEPO. From day 7 of life rHuEPO-200 IU/kg/dose subcutaneously every alternate day for 2 weeks was administered to rHuEPO group. All infants in both groups have received oral iron, folic acid from day 14. Clinical and haematological assessment was done at 6 and 10 weeks of life. Baseline clinical characteristics and haematologic values were almost similar in both groups. This study has shown increase in haematological values(haemoglobin and haematocrit) and reduction in the number of blood transfusions during both the 1st and 2nd follow up in rHuEPO group in comparison to control group (p<0.01). Short term rHuEPO appears to be very effective in prevention of Anaemia of prematurity.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bmrcb.v38i3.14340

Bangladesh Med Res Counc Bull 2012; 38(3): 119-123 (December)

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.
Abstract
132
PDF
235

Downloads

Published

2013-03-30

How to Cite

Yasmeen, B., Chowdhury, M., Hoque, M., Hossain, M., Jahan, R., & Akhtar, S. (2013). Effect of short term recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) therapy in the prevention of anemia of prematurity (AOP) in very low birth weight (VLBW) neonates. Bangladesh Medical Research Council Bulletin, 38(3), 119–123. https://doi.org/10.3329/bmrcb.v38i3.14340

Issue

Vol. 38 No. 3 (2012)

Section

Research Papers

License

Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms.

Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication.

Creative Commons Licence
Articles in the Bangladesh Medical Research Council Bulletin are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC-BY) that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.

Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.

Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).