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.

Neonatal anemia.

Neonatal anemia and the need for red blood cell (RBC) transfusions are very common in neonatal intensive care units. Neonatal anemia can be due to blood loss, decreased RBC production, or increased destruction of erythrocytes. Physiologic anemia of the newborn and anemia of prematurity are the two most common causes of anemia in neonates.