Aim-To evaluate the role of recombinant human erythropoietin (R-HuEpo) in reducing iron infusion, which may exacerbate free radical damage, leading to chronic lung disease. Methods-A multicentre, randomised, placebo controlled, double blind study was carried out in four neonatal intensive care units in Yorkshire. Infants were randomly allocated and received either R-HuEpo (480 U/kg/wk) or placebo by twice weekly subcutaneous injection. The primary outcome measure was the number of days on respiratory support and a secondary outcome the number of blood transfusions required. Results-Forty two very low birthweight (VLBW) infants were randomly allocated. There was little diVerence in the need for respiratory support one month after randomisation, but subsequently there was a trend towards a reduction in the proportion requiring respiratory support in the R-HuEpo group (diVerence at three months −0.50, 95% confidence interval −1.00, 0.17). During stay in hospital, the median number of blood transfusions was lower for infants in the R-HuEpo group (diVerence in medians −2, 95% CI −4, 0). The study was stopped early because of failure to recruit babies at the expected rate. Conclusions-R-HuEpo seems to reduce the number of days in oxygen for ill VLBW infants. These data could be used to construct a larger multicentre study to evaluate this eVect further. (Arch Dis Child 1997;76:F190-F192)
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