Early erythropoiesis-stimulating agents in preterm or low birth weight infants.

Background: Preterm infants have low plasma levels of erythropoietin (EPO), providing a rationale for the use of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) to prevent or treat anaemia and to provide neuro protection and protection against necrotising enterocolitis (NEC). Darbepoetin (Darbe) and EPO are currently available ESAs.

Objectives: To assess the effectiveness and safety of ESAs (erythropoietin (EPO) and/or Darbe) initiated early (before eight days after birth) compared with placebo or no intervention in reducing red blood cell (RBC) transfusions, adverse neurological outcomes, and feeding intolerance including necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) in preterm and/or low birth weight infants.

Early versus late erythropoietin for preventing red blood cell transfusion in preterm and/or low birth weight infants.

Background: Low plasma levels of erythropoietin (EPO) in preterm infants provide a rationale for the use of EPO to prevent or treat anaemia.

Objectives: To assess the effectiveness and safety of early versus late initiation of EPO in reducing red blood cell (RBC) transfusions in preterm and/or low birth weight (LBW) infants.

Search Methods: The standard search of the Cochrane Neonatal Review Group (CNRG) was performed in 2006 and updated in 2009.

Late erythropoiesis-stimulating agents to prevent red blood cell transfusion in preterm or low birth weight infants.

Background: Preterm infants have low plasma levels of erythropoietin (EPO), providing a rationale for the use of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) to prevent or treat anaemia. Darbepoetin (Darbe) and EPO are currently available ESAs.

Objectives: To assess the effectiveness and safety of late initiation of ESAs, between eight and 28 days after birth, in reducing the use of red blood cell (RBC) transfusions in preterm or low birth weight infants.

Late erythropoiesis-stimulating agents to prevent red blood cell transfusion in preterm or low birth weight infants.

Background: Preterm infants have low plasma levels of erythropoietin (EPO), providing a rationale for the use of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) to prevent or treat anaemia. Darbepoetin (Darbe) and EPO are currently available ESAs.

Objectives: To assess the effectiveness and safety of late initiation of ESAs, between eight and 28 days after birth, in reducing the use of red blood cell (RBC) transfusions in preterm or low birth weight infants.

Early erythropoiesis-stimulating agents in preterm or low birth weight infants.

Background: Preterm infants have low plasma levels of erythropoietin (EPO), providing a rationale for the use of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) to prevent or treat anaemia and to provide neuro protection and protection against necrotising enterocolitis (NEC). Darbepoetin (Darbe) and EPO are currently available ESAs.

Objectives: To assess the effectiveness and safety of ESAs (erythropoietin (EPO) and/or Darbe) initiated early (before eight days after birth) compared with placebo or no intervention in reducing red blood cell (RBC) transfusions, adverse neurological outcomes, and feeding intolerance including necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) in preterm and/or low birth weight infants.

Early erythropoietin for preventing red blood cell transfusion in preterm and/or low birth weight infants.

Background: Low plasma levels of erythropoietin (EPO) in preterm infants provide a rationale for the use of EPO to prevent or treat anaemia.

Objectives: To assess the effectiveness and safety of early initiation of EPO or darepoetin (initiated before eight days after birth) in reducing red blood cell (RBC) transfusions in preterm and/orlow birth weight infants.

Search Methods: The Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, reference lists of identified trials and reviews, Pediatric Academic Societies Annual meetings 2000 to 2013 (Abstracts2View(TM)) and clinical trials registries (clinicaltrials.

Late erythropoietin for preventing red blood cell transfusion in preterm and/or low birth weight infants.

Background: Low plasma levels of erythropoietin (EPO) in preterm infants provide a rationale for the use of EPO to prevent or treat anaemia.

Objectives: To assess the effectiveness and safety of late initiation of erythropoietin (EPO) between eight and 28 days after birth, in reducing the use of red blood cell (RBC) transfusions in preterm and/or low birth weight infants.

Search Methods: We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CINAHL in July 2013.

Early versus late erythropoietin for preventing red blood cell transfusion in preterm and/or low birth weight infants.

Background: Low plasma levels of erythropoietin (EPO) in preterm infants provide a rationale for the use of EPO to prevent or treat anaemia.

Objectives: To assess the effectiveness and safety of early versus late initiation of EPO in reducing red blood cell (RBC) transfusions in preterm and/or low birth weight (LBW) infants.

Search Methods: The standard search of the Cochrane Neonatal Review Group (CNRG) was performed in 2006 and updated in 2009.

Late erythropoietin for preventing red blood cell transfusion in preterm and/or low birth weight infants.

Background: Low plasma levels of erythropoietin (EPO) in preterm infants provide a rationale for the use of EPO to prevent or treat anaemia.

Objectives: To assess the effectiveness and safety of late initiation of EPO (initiated at eight days after birth or later) in reducing the use of red blood cell (RBC) transfusions in preterm and/or low birth weight infants.

Search Methods: For this update MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, and The Cochrane Library were searched in March 2012.

Early erythropoietin for preventing red blood cell transfusion in preterm and/or low birth weight infants.

Background: Low plasma levels of erythropoietin (EPO) in preterm infants provide a rationale for the use of EPO to prevent or treat anaemia.

Objectives: To assess the effectiveness and safety of early initiation of EPO in reducing red blood cell (RBC) transfusions in preterm and/or low birth weight infants.

Search Methods: The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (The Cochrane Library), MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, abstracts from scientific meetings published in Pediatric Research and reference lists of identified trials and reviews were searched through July 2009.