The use of recombinant human erythropoietin in infant anemias.

The use of recombinant human erythropoietin in infant anemias. E. F. Morschakova, A. V. Dmitriev, I. P. Kukushkina, I. P. Borisova, M. V. Virivskaya, E. A. Ryko. Ryazan Branch of Research Institute for Pediatric Hematology, Ryazan Children's Hospital, Russia. Ten infants under 1 year of age suffering from normochromic anemias (7 of them were prematurely born after 27-30 weeks of gestation) received recombinant erythropoietin (rEPO) in a mean dose 200 IU/kg s.c., 2-3 times a week. A positive effect of rEPO in mature infants was evident in two weeks: hemoglobin level reached 20-40 g/l, reticulocyte count went up. After 3-4 weeks of rEPO administration to premature infants the number of reticulocytes increased 13 times and after 8 weeks erythropoiesis returned to normal. In control premature infants treated without rEPO erythropoiesis depression necessitated transfusions of erythrocytic mass.