Characterization of Neutropenia in Preterm Neonates Following Administration of Darbepoetin Alfa

This study is to evaluate the effects of darbepoetin alfa (darbe) on neutrophil count in preterm neonates treated for anemia of prematurity.

This was a retrospective chart review comparing the absolute neutrophil counts (ANCs) of neonates administered 2 doses of subcutaneous darbe 10 mcg/kg to that of a randomly selected comparator group of neonates not administered the drug. Neonates <34 weeks gestational age, gestational age between 23w1d and 33w4d, born between July 2016 and June 2019, were included in the study.

The ANCs of 45 darbe-treated neonates compared with those of 45 randomly selected comparator control neonates revealed no difference in the rate of occurrence of neutropenia (ANC ≤1000/μL) between the darbe-treated neonates (26.7%) and comparator neonates (24.4%) (p > 0.99). There was also no difference in the rate of occurrence of severe neutropenia (ANC ≤500/μL) between the darbe-treated neonates (11.1%) and comparator neonates (6.7%) (p = 0.70). Darbepoetin alfa did not lead to differences in rates of resolution of neutropenia or severe neutropenia.

Short-term administration of darbe did not affect the ANCs of preterm neonates treated for anemia of prematurity. There was no difference in the rates of occurrence of neutropenia, severe neutropenia, or resolution of either between the darbe-treated neonates and comparator neonates.