Further study needed before human recombinant erythropoietin can be recommended for anaemia of prematurity

The anaemia of prematurity is a hypoproliferative, normocytic, normochromic anaemia associated with diminished serum erythropoietin concentrations in preterm infants. Symptoms of anaemia, including tachycardia, increased episodes of apnoea and bradycardia, poor bodyweight gain, an increased oxygen requirement, and elevated serum lactate concentrations, resolve following transfusion. When preterm infants are administered human recombinant erythropoietin, haematocrits remain higher and the number of transfusions required is reduced. However, the institution of more stringent transfusion guidelines in this patient population also results in less transfusions being performed. Preterm infants receiving this erythropoietic growth factor require supplementation with iron and, possibly, other nutritional factors. Human recombinant erythropoietin is very well tolerated in this patient population. Nevetheless, further study is required before the use of human erythropoietin in preterm infants can be recommended.