Effect of Oral Erythropoietin in Prevention of Anemia of Prematurity

Abstract

Introduction: Anemia of prematurity (AOP) is a common problem of very low birth weight babies. Blood transfusion is a necessity when it occurs in moderate to Methods: This randomized controlled study conducted in the NICU of BSMMU over one year. Total 60 preterm (<34 weeks)VLBW (<1500g) infants were enrolled and randomly divided into Control (group-I), Oral (group-II) and Subcutaneous (group III). Experimental groups (group-II & group-III) received rhEPO 400 IU/Kg, 3 times weekly in oral and subcutaneous (S/C) route respectively and continued for 2 weeks (Total 6 doses). Therapy was initiated 14 days after birth when the baby achieved oral feeding of at least 50 ml/kg/day of breast milk. All infants received oral iron and folic acid