Abstract
The efficacy of recombinant human erythropoietin (rEPO) was studied in 8 anemic children undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). A dose of 65-100U/kg of rEPO was given intravenously in 4 of the 8 children 3 times weekly for 8 weeks, and thereafter, the same dose was given once a week throughout the study. A dose of 50U/kg of rEPO was given in one child 3 times weekly for 4 weeks. This therapy was given in the remaining 3 children at a dose of 70-150U/kg once a week throughout the study. The mean interval of therapy was 39 weeks (range: 4-68 weeks). Iron replacement was done in all children. Red cell count, hemoglobin (Hb) value, and hematocrit (Ht) value significantly increased one week after the initiation of rEPO. The total mean values of Hb and Ht increased from 6.1g/dl to 9.4g/dl and from 18.2% to 29.3%, respectively, with therapy. An increase in Ht of more than 5% was observed 2 weeks after the initiation of rEPO in 6 children treated at a dose of 150U/kg or more per week. Dyspnea at exercise and loss of appetite improved in all children. None had any adverse effect, including blood pressure elevation. The present study indicates that rEPO is effective in the improvement of anemic children undergoing CAPD.
