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[Decreased transfusions in preterm infants with anemia treated with erythropoietin]
José Francisco López-Catzín1, Patricia Berenice Bolado-García, Gonzalo Jesús Gamboa-López
1Hospital de Especialidades, Centro Médico Nacional "Ignacio García Téllez", Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Mérida, Yucatán, México. patricia.bolado@imss.gob.mx.
Insights
Erythropoietin significantly reduces blood transfusions in preterm infants with anemia. This finding highlights its potential to decrease transfusion-related risks in premature newborns.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Medicine
- Hematology
Background:
- Anemia of prematurity is commonly treated with red blood cell transfusions and erythropoiesis-stimulating agents.
- Current treatment strategies aim to minimize transfusion needs and associated risks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the correlation between the number of blood transfusions and the use of recombinant human erythropoietin in preterm infants with anemia.
- To evaluate the efficacy of erythropoietin in reducing transfusion requirements.
Main Methods:
- A correlation study involving 80 preterm infants with anemia, randomized into transfusion-only (T) and transfusion plus erythropoietin (E) groups.
- Spearman Rho correlation was used to analyze demographic variables, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and transfusion numbers, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05.
Main Results:
- Group E received significantly fewer blood transfusions (2 units less) compared to Group T (p < 0.05).
- Average transfusions were 4 ± 1.2 units in Group E versus 7 ± 1.2 units in Group T.
- Negative correlations were observed between gestational age and transfusion number in both groups, and between birth weight and packed red blood cell transfusions.
Conclusions:
- Recombinant human erythropoietin effectively reduces the number of blood transfusions required for preterm infants suffering from anemia.
- While erythropoietin decreases transfusion needs, patients may still be exposed to risks associated with transfusions, such as communicable diseases.
Background:
Treating anemia of prematurity is transfused red blood cells and the use of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents. The aim of this article is to determine the correlation between the number of blood transfusions and the use of recombinant human erythropoietin in preterm infants with anemia.
Methods:
A correlation study was performed in 80 cases of patients with anemia treated with transfusions and erythropoietin, were randomized into two groups: one was treated with transfusions (T) and one with transfusions and erythropoietin (E). Demographic variables, hemoglobin and hematocrit at the beginning and end of treatment and number of transfusions received were measured. The correlation was obtained through Spearman Rho, considering p < 0.05 as statistically significant.
Results:
The total number of units transfused in each group was lower in group E, which received two units less than the T group (p < 0.05). The average CE transfused in group E was 4 ± 1.2 and 7 ± 1.2 for the group T. For the group E the correlation between gestational age and number of transfusions was moderately negative (-0348); birth weight and the number of packed red blood cells transfused were slightly negative (-0239). T group for the negative correlation between the same variables moderate slight negative (-0300) and (-0109), respectively.
Conclusions:
Erythropoietin reduces the number of blood transfusions in preterm infants with anemia. Its use does not preclude the transfusion, the patient remains exposed to the risk of communicable diseases in this way.
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