%0 Journal Article
%T Efficacy of recombinant erythropoietin for the late treatment of anemia of prematurity in a level IV neonatal intensive care unit: a retrospective single-center cohort study.
%A Connolly JM
%A McClary JD
%A Desai R
%A Sundaram A
%A Neudecker M
%A Nock ML
%A Ryan RM
%A Marasch JL
%J J Perinatol
%V 44
%N 6
%D 2024 Jun 21
%M 38773216
%F 3.225
%R 10.1038/s41372-024-02001-6
%X <B>OBJECTIVE: </B>To describe the population to which we administered recombinant erythropoietin and to determine the effectiveness of this treatment as quantified by the change in hematocrit.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>This retrospective chart review study included infants who received erythropoietin for the treatment of anemia of prematurity.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>There were 132 infants representing 162 unique treatment courses included in the study. The average duration of therapy was 9 days (±7) and 6 doses (±2). The average change in hematocrit (Hct) was 6.2% (SD 3.9%, p < 0.001). Rise in Hct was associated with a higher number of rEPO doses (p < 0.001) and higher postmenstrual age (p < 0.001). In our small cohort we did not find an association between the number of rEPO doses and retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) requiring treatment.<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>Erythropoietin is safe and effective at treating anemia of prematurity as evidenced by a clinically and statistically significant increase in Hct from baseline.