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Erythropoietin responsive progenitors in anaemia of prematurity
A J Emmerson1, N B Westwood, R A Rackham
1United Medical School St. Thomas's Hospital, London.
Insights
Anemia in preterm infants shows increased circulating erythroid progenitors (BFU-E). These progenitors are more responsive to recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEpo), suggesting potential treatment benefits.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Neonatology
- Pediatric Research
Background:
- Preterm infants are susceptible to anemia.
- Erythropoiesis regulation in preterm infants is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the abundance and responsiveness of circulating erythroid progenitors (BFU-E) in anemic preterm infants.
- To evaluate the potential of recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEpo) in treating anemia of prematurity.
Main Methods:
- Quantification of circulating BFU-E in preterm infants with anemia (hemoglobin < 100 g/l) compared to non-anemic preterm infants and healthy adults.
- Assessment of BFU-E responsiveness to varying concentrations of rHuEpo.
Main Results:
- Anemic preterm infants had significantly higher BFU-E levels (2-4.4 times) compared to non-anemic preterm infants and healthy adults.
- BFU-E from anemic preterm infants showed greater responsiveness to low rHuEpo concentrations than those from healthy adults.
Conclusions:
- Elevated BFU-E and enhanced responsiveness suggest a compensatory mechanism in preterm infant anemia.
- These findings support further investigation into rHuEpo therapy for anemia of prematurity.
Abstract:
Circulating erythroid progenitors (BFU-E) in five anaemic preterm infants (haemoglobin less than 100 g/l) were about 2 and 4.4 times as abundant as in 10 preterm infants who were not anaemic and five healthy adults, respectively, and were significantly more responsive to low concentrations of recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEpo) than those from healthy adults. These results encourage further studies in the use of rHuEpo for the treatment of the anaemia of prematurity.