Erythropoietin in obstetrics

Comparative Analysis of Beet Juice and Red Guava Juice against Erythrocyte and Hematocrit Levels in Post-partum Women

BACKGROUND: Post-partum physiological bleeding can cause post-partum mothers to experience anemia; often, post-partum mothers are limited by nutrient and fluid intake to keep the body strong and have ideal body weight. AIM: The aim of the study is to knowing the difference between beet juice and Guava juice on erythrocyte and hematocrit (HTC) levels in post-partum mothers at Darul Imarah Health Center, Darul Imarah District, Aceh Besar District. METHODS: This was a quasi-experimental study with a pre-post test design using a randomized controlled trial. The population of post-partum mothers in the Darul Imarah Health Center, Darul Imarah District, Aceh Besar District. The sample selection is purposive sampling with inclusion and exclusion criteria; the sample is 45 people. RESULTS: The results showed differences in erythrocyte and HTC levels between before and after giving guava and iron (Fe) juices with a p-value of 0.00 <0.05. Beet juice increases the average erythrocytes and HTC levels higher than guava juice. There were significant differences in erythrocyte levels in the guava + Fe, beet + Fe, and control (Fe) treatment groups with a p-value of 0.001 <0.05. the difference in the average difference in erythrocyte levels between the guava and beet treatment groups was 0.03. The treatment group Bit + Fe had a higher mean erythrocyte level different than the guava + the treatment group and the control group (Fe). There was a significant difference in HTC levels in the guava + Fe, beet + Fe, and control (Fe) treatment groups with a p-value of 0.001 <0.05. the difference in the average difference in erythrocyte levels between the guava and beet treatment groups was 0.03. The treatment group Bit + Fe had a higher mean difference in HTC levels than the guava + the treatment group and the control group (Fe). CONCLUSION: There is a significant difference in erythrocytes and HTC levels between before and after giving guava juice and beet juice to post-partum mothers with a p-value of 0.00 <0.05. Beet juice increases the average level of erythrocytes and HTC, which is higher than guava juice in post-partum mothers at the Darul Imarah Health Center.

Maternal anaemia after delivery: prevalence and risk factors

The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of postpartum anaemia and determine the clinical risk factors for this condition to provide a viable alternative to postpartum haemoglobin measurement. In total, 1415 patients at Hospital Universitario del Tajo, Madrid, who underwent postpartum haemoglobin testing were included, and risk factors for having an Hb level <10 g/dl were determined. We found that 29% of the mothers were anaemic, and birth canal lacerations, caesarean delivery, episiotomy and South American origin were identified as the main risk factors for this condition. When we examined the performance of each risk factor alone in the prediction of postpartum anaemia, none of them achieved a sensitivity of 30%. Selective screening of women who had any of these five risk factors resulted in 23% of cases remaining unidentified. Despite the high incidence and disease burden of this condition, the management of puerperal anaemia is not standardised, and this condition is not easy to predict. Universal screening should be considered in high-prevalence settings. Impact statement The World Health Organisation (WHO) describes the postnatal period as the most critical and yet most neglected phase in the lives of mothers and infants. It is a common knowledge that a woman's adjustment to life with her new infant is very difficult. This period, known as the puerperium, often involves poor sleep quality, pain and fatigue, if not other major complications. In this context, we must face the challenge of increasing breastfeeding rates, which is why health care providers should be aware of the medical and psychological needs of the new mother. This work reports that postpartum anaemia, a potentially preventable or treatable condition that can make it more difficult to resume everyday activities, is highly prevalent. It remains to be seen whether ensuring the appropriate diagnosis and treatment of anaemia after delivery will result in improvements in the physical and psychological well-being of obstetric patients.

Iron deficiency and anemia are prevalent in women with multiple gestations

BACKGROUND

Little attention has been placed on the unique iron demands that may exist in women with multiple gestations. This merits attention because iron deficiency (ID) during pregnancy is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes that are known to be more prevalent in multiple births.

OBJECTIVE

We characterized longitudinal changes in iron status across pregnancy in a cohort of healthy women with multiple gestations and identified determinants of maternal ID and anemia.

DESIGN

A group of 83 women carrying twins, triplets, or quadruplets (aged 20-46 y) was recruited from 2011 to 2014. Blood samples obtained during pregnancy (∼24 wk; n = 73) and at delivery (∼35 wk; n = 61) were used to assess hemoglobin, serum ferritin (SF), soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR), hepcidin, serum iron, erythropoietin, serum folate, vitamin B-12, C-reactive protein, and interleukin-6.

RESULTS

The prevalence of tissue ID (sTfR >8.5 mg/L) increased significantly from pregnancy to delivery (9.6% compared with 23%, P = 0.03). Women with depleted iron stores (SF <12 μg/L, n = 20) during pregnancy had a 2-fold greater risk of anemia at delivery, and 25% (n = 5) developed iron deficiency anemia (IDA). Overall, 44.6% of women studied (n = 37/83) were anemic at delivery, and 18% of women (n = 11/61) had IDA. Erythropoietin during pregnancy was significantly negatively associated with hemoglobin at delivery. Women with erythropoietin >75th percentile during pregnancy exhibited a 3-fold greater risk of anemia, suggesting that erythropoietin is a sensitive predictor of anemia at delivery. Inflammation was present at delivery, which limited the utility of ferritin or hepcidin as iron-status indicators at delivery.

CONCLUSIONS

ID and anemia are highly prevalent in women with multiple gestations. Additional screening and iron supplementation may be warranted in this high-risk population given the known associations between ID anemia and adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01582802.

Contemporary uses of erythropoietin in pregnancy: a literature review

OBJECTIVE

The objectives of this study were to survey the current research and provide an update on the uses and benefits of erythropoietin (EPO) in pregnancy and the postpartum period.

DATA SOURCES

A review of MEDLINE (1947 to present) was performed. Search terms included "erythropoietin," "pregnan*," with subheadings of "administration & dosage," "pharmacokinetics," "therapeutic use," "fetus," "fertility."

METHOD OF STUDY SELECTION

We reviewed relevant articles published from 2002 to 2012. Case reports, observational studies, case-control studies, randomized controlled trials, retrospective analyses, animal studies, and review articles were included. Articles were selected if they discussed a use of EPO in pregnancy or the immediate postpartum period, as well as use of EPO in the neonate.

TABULATION, INTEGRATION, AND RESULTS

Authors independently reviewed and extracted data. Of the 65 articles reviewed, 45 were included. Erythropoietin was used in the treatment of maternal anemia. Because of the molecule's large size, recombinant EPO does not appear to cross the placenta. No fetal morbidity or mortality was noted. Therefore, this is a safe therapy that can be used in pregnancy. Use of EPO may be especially important for women who decline blood products. Neonatal uses of EPO show benefit in the treatment of anemia due to blood type incompatibility.

CONCLUSIONS

Erythropoietin is gaining popularity as a therapeutic option during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Further investigation is needed to establish a standard dosage and dosing interval. New studies reviewing its use in the neonate for perinatal-hypoxic injury and anemia due to blood type incompatibility provide exciting opportunities for further therapeutic use.

TARGET AUDIENCE

Obstetricians and gynecologists, family physicians.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

After completing this CME activity, physicians should be better able to treat anemia in pregnancy, including causes and interventions; assess renal disease in pregnancy, targets of hemoglobin, precautions, and treatment considerations; and evaluate erythropoietin use in neonates and fetuses, including benefits, complications, and areas for upcoming research/uses.

Decreased birth weight in psychosis: influence of prenatal exposure to serologically determined influenza and hypoxia

BACKGROUND

Decreased birth weight (BW) is associated with later psychosis, but the sources of decreased BW for those at risk for psychosis remain unclear.

AIM

To determine whether fetal exposure to influenza and/or hypoxia accounts for BW decreases among psychotic cases and controls.

METHOD

Subjects were 111 cases diagnosed with schizophrenia or affective psychosis and 333 matched controls from the Collaborative Perinatal Project. Psychiatric diagnoses were ascertained from medical records. Influenza and hypoxia were determined from maternal and cord sera collected at birth.

RESULTS

Cases exposed to severe fetal hypoxia or influenza had significantly lower BW compared with unexposed cases and controls, regardless of exposure status. No significant differences in BW were observed among controls based on exposure status.

CONCLUSIONS

Decreased BW appears to be a risk factor for psychosis only in the presence of other teratogens. Liability to psychosis likely renders fetuses vulnerable to decreased fetal growth in response to hypoxia and influenza.

Gaps in the evidence for prevention and treatment of maternal anaemia: a review of systematic reviews

BACKGROUND

Anaemia, in particular due to iron deficiency, is common in pregnancy with associated negative outcomes for mother and infant. However, there is evidence of significant variation in management. The objectives of this review of systematic reviews were to analyse and summarise the evidence base, identify gaps in the evidence and develop a research agenda for this important component of maternity care.

METHODS

Multiple databases were searched, including MEDLINE, EMBASE and The Cochrane Library. All systematic reviews relating to interventions to prevent and treat anaemia in the antenatal and postnatal period were eligible. Two reviewers independently assessed data inclusion, extraction and quality of methodology.

RESULTS

27 reviews were included, all reporting on the prevention and treatment of anaemia in the antenatal (n = 24) and postnatal periods (n = 3). Using AMSTAR as the assessment tool for methodological quality, only 12 of the 27 were rated as high quality reviews. The greatest number of reviews covered antenatal nutritional supplementation for the prevention of anaemia (n = 19). Iron supplementation was the most extensively researched, but with ongoing uncertainty about optimal dose and regimen. Few identified reviews addressed anaemia management post-partum or correlations between laboratory and clinical outcomes, and no reviews reported on clinical symptoms of anaemia.

CONCLUSIONS

The review highlights evidence gaps including the management of anaemia in the postnatal period, screening for anaemia, and optimal interventions for treatment. Research priorities include developing standardised approaches to reporting of laboratory outcomes, and information on clinical outcomes relevant to the experiences of pregnant women.

Iron in pregnancy: How do we secure an appropriate iron status in the mother and child?

Iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia (IDA) during pregnancy are risk factors for preterm delivery, prematurity, and small for gestational age birth weight. Iron deficiency has a negative effect on intelligence and behavioral development in the infant. It is essential to prevent iron deficiency in the fetus by preventing iron deficiency in the pregnant woman. The requirements for absorbed iron increase during pregnancy from ∼1.0 mg/day in the first trimester to 7.5 mg/day in the third trimester. More than 90% of Scandinavian women of reproductive age have a dietary iron intake below the recommended 15 mg/day. Among nonpregnant women of reproductive age, ∼40% have plasma ferritin ≤30 μg/l, i.e. an unfavorable iron status with respect to pregnancy. An adequate iron status during pregnancy implies body iron reserves ≥500 mg at conception, but only 15-20% of women have iron reserves of such a magnitude. Iron supplements during pregnancy reduce the prevalence of IDA. In Europe, IDA can be prevented by a general low-dose iron prophylaxis of 30-40 mg ferrous iron taken between meals from early pregnancy to delivery. In affluent societies, individual iron prophylaxis tailored by the ferritin concentration should be preferred to general prophylaxis. Suggested guidelines are: ferritin >70 μg/l, no iron supplements; ferritin 31-70 μg/l, 30-40 mg ferrous iron per day, and ferritin ≤30 μg/l, 60-80 mg ferrous iron per day. In women with ferritin <15 μg/l, i.e. depleted iron reserves and possible IDA, therapeutic doses of 100 mg ferrous iron per day should be advised.

Postpartum anemia I: definition, prevalence, causes, and consequences

This review provides a status on the definition, prevalence, causes, and consequences of anemia in women who have given childbirth, i.e., postpartum anemia. The diagnosis of iron deficiency anemia relies on a full blood count including hemoglobin, serum ferritin, and serum soluble transferrin receptor, which appear to be reliable indicators of anemia and iron status 1 week postpartum while serum transferrin saturation is an unreliable indicator several weeks after delivery. It is recommended that postpartum anemia should be defined by hemoglobin <110 g/L at 1 week postpartum and <120 g/L at 8 weeks postpartum. The major causes of postpartum anemia are prepartum anemia combined with acute bleeding anemia due blood losses at delivery. Normal peripartum blood losses are approximately 300 ml, but hemorrhage >500 ml occur in 5-6% of the women. In healthy women after normal delivery, the prevalence of anemia (hemoglobin <110 g/L) 1 week postpartum is 14% in iron-supplemented women and 24% in non-supplemented women. In consecutive series of European women, the prevalence of anemia 48 h after delivery is approximately 50%. In developing countries, the prevalence of postpartum anemia is in the range of 50-80%. Postpartum anemia is associated with an impaired quality of life, reduced cognitive abilities, emotional instability, and depression and constitutes a significant health problem in women of reproductive age.

Iron behaving badly: inappropriate iron chelation as a major contributor to the aetiology of vascular and other progressive inflammatory and degenerative diseases

BACKGROUND

The production of peroxide and superoxide is an inevitable consequence of aerobic metabolism, and while these particular 'reactive oxygen species' (ROSs) can exhibit a number of biological effects, they are not of themselves excessively reactive and thus they are not especially damaging at physiological concentrations. However, their reactions with poorly liganded iron species can lead to the catalytic production of the very reactive and dangerous hydroxyl radical, which is exceptionally damaging, and a major cause of chronic inflammation.

REVIEW

We review the considerable and wide-ranging evidence for the involvement of this combination of (su)peroxide and poorly liganded iron in a large number of physiological and indeed pathological processes and inflammatory disorders, especially those involving the progressive degradation of cellular and organismal performance. These diseases share a great many similarities and thus might be considered to have a common cause (i.e. iron-catalysed free radical and especially hydroxyl radical generation).The studies reviewed include those focused on a series of cardiovascular, metabolic and neurological diseases, where iron can be found at the sites of plaques and lesions, as well as studies showing the significance of iron to aging and longevity. The effective chelation of iron by natural or synthetic ligands is thus of major physiological (and potentially therapeutic) importance. As systems properties, we need to recognise that physiological observables have multiple molecular causes, and studying them in isolation leads to inconsistent patterns of apparent causality when it is the simultaneous combination of multiple factors that is responsible.This explains, for instance, the decidedly mixed effects of antioxidants that have been observed, since in some circumstances (especially the presence of poorly liganded iron) molecules that are nominally antioxidants can actually act as pro-oxidants. The reduction of redox stress thus requires suitable levels of both antioxidants and effective iron chelators. Some polyphenolic antioxidants may serve both roles.Understanding the exact speciation and liganding of iron in all its states is thus crucial to separating its various pro- and anti-inflammatory activities. Redox stress, innate immunity and pro- (and some anti-)inflammatory cytokines are linked in particular via signalling pathways involving NF-kappaB and p38, with the oxidative roles of iron here seemingly involved upstream of the IkappaB kinase (IKK) reaction. In a number of cases it is possible to identify mechanisms by which ROSs and poorly liganded iron act synergistically and autocatalytically, leading to 'runaway' reactions that are hard to control unless one tackles multiple sites of action simultaneously. Some molecules such as statins and erythropoietin, not traditionally associated with anti-inflammatory activity, do indeed have 'pleiotropic' anti-inflammatory effects that may be of benefit here.

CONCLUSION

Overall we argue, by synthesising a widely dispersed literature, that the role of poorly liganded iron has been rather underappreciated in the past, and that in combination with peroxide and superoxide its activity underpins the behaviour of a great many physiological processes that degrade over time. Understanding these requires an integrative, systems-level approach that may lead to novel therapeutic targets.

Increased fetal plasma and amniotic fluid erythropoietin concentrations: markers of intrauterine hypoxia

Tissue hypoxia is the major stimulus of erythropoietin (EPO) synthesis in fetuses and adults. Since EPO does not cross the placenta and is not stored, fetal plasma and amniotic fluid levels indicate EPO synthesis and elimination. Acutely, the rate and magnitude of the increase in plasma EPO levels correlate with the intensity of hypoxia. Amniotic fluid EPO levels correlate with cord plasma levels in normal and abnormal pregnancies, with fetal plasma EPO levels in humans averaging 2.6 times higher than the corresponding amniotic fluid EPO levels. Recent experimental and clinical studies demonstrate that EPO has neuroprotective effects related to its anti-apoptotic and vascular growth-promoting properties. Although under basal conditions the fetal kidneys are the main site of EPO production, during hypoxia recent experimental data indicate an important role of the placenta. Amniotic fluid EPO levels have been shown to increase exponentially during fetal hypoxia in preeclamptic, diabetic and Rh-immunized pregnancies, to correlate inversely with cord blood pH, pO(2) and base excess and to predict neonatal morbidities and NICU admission. As an indicator of chronic intrauterine hypoxia, fetal EPO measurements have increased our knowledge about the pathogenesis and importance of intrauterine growth restriction, macrosomia, diabetic pregnancy, prolonged pregnancy, meconium staining, fetal hemorrhage, fetal anemia, maternal smoking and alcohol consumption, abnormal fetal heart rate and abnormal Doppler flow patterns. While the clinical utility of fetal amniotic fluid and plasma EPO measurements in the management of high-risk pregnancies and their offspring is promising, adequately powered clinical trials are urgently needed.

Malaria during pregnancy and foetal haematological status in Blantyre, Malawi

BACKGROUND

Although maternal anaemia often stems from malaria infection during pregnancy, its effects on foetal haemoglobin levels are not straightforward. Lower-than-expected cord haemoglobin values in malarious versus non-malarious regions were noted by one review, which hypothesized they resulted from foetal immune activation to maternal malaria. This study addressed this idea by examining cord haemoglobin levels in relation to maternal malaria, anaemia, and markers of foetal immune activation.

METHODS

Cord haemoglobin levels were examined in 32 malaria-infected and 58 uninfected women in Blantyre, Malawi, in relation to maternal haemoglobin levels, malaria status, and markers of foetal haematological status, hypoxia, and inflammation, including TNF-alpha, TGF-beta, and ferritin. All women were HIV-negative.

RESULTS

Although malaria was associated with a reduction in maternal haemoglobin (10.8 g/dL vs. 12.1 g/dL, p < 0.001), no reduction in cord haemoglobin and no significant relationship between maternal and cord haemoglobin levels were found. Cord blood markers of haematological and hypoxic statuses did not differ between malaria-infected and uninfected women. Maternal malaria was associated with decreased TGF-beta and increased cord ferritin, the latter of which was positively correlated with parasitaemia (r = 0.474, p = 0.009). Increased cord ferritin was associated with significantly decreased birth weight and gestational length, although maternal and cord haemoglobin levels and malaria status had no effect on birth outcome.

CONCLUSION

In this population, cord haemoglobin levels were protected from the effect of maternal malaria. However, decreased TGF-beta and elevated ferritin levels in cord blood suggest foetal immune activation to maternal malaria, which may help explain poor birth outcomes.

Subclinical iron deficiency is a strong predictor of bacterial vaginosis in early pregnancy

BACKGROUND

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the single most common vaginal infection in women of childbearing age and associated with a sizeable infectious disease burden among both non-pregnant and pregnant women, including a significantly elevated risk of adverse pregnancy outcome. Overall, little progress has been made in identifying causal factors involved in BV acquisition and persistence. We sought to evaluate maternal iron status in early pregnancy as a putative risk factor for BV, considering that micronutrients, and iron deficiency in particular, affect the host response against bacterial colonization, even in the setting of mild micronutrient deficiencies.

METHODS

In a nested case-control study, we compared maternal iron status at entry to prenatal care (mean gestational age 9.2 +/- 2.6 weeks) between eighty women with healthy vaginal microflora and eighteen women with vaginosis-like microflora. Vaginal microflora status was assessed by assigning a modified Nugent score to a Gram-stained vaginal smear. Maternal iron status was assayed by an array of conventional erythrocyte and serum indicators for iron status assessment, but also by more sensitive and more specific indicators of iron deficiency, including soluble transferrin receptors (sTfR) as an accurate measure of cellular and tissue iron deficiency and the iron deficiency log10[sTfR/ferritin] index as the presently most accurate measure of body storage iron available.

RESULTS

We found no statistically significant correlation between vaginal microflora status and routinely assessed iron parameters. In contrast, a highly significant difference between the healthy and vaginosis-like microflora groups of women was shown in mean values of sTfR concentrations (1.15 +/- 0.30 mg/L versus 1.37 +/- 0.38 mg/L, p = 0.008) and in mean iron deficiency log10[sTfR/ferritin] index values (1.57 +/- 0.30 versus 1.08 +/- 0.56, p = 0.003), indicating a strong association between iron deficiency and vaginosis-like microflora. An sTfR concentration > 1.45 mg/L was associated with a 3-fold increased risk (95%CI: 1.4-6.7) of vaginosis-like microflora and after controlling for maternal age, gestational length, body mass, parity, and smoking habits with an adjusted odds ratio of 4.5 (95%CI: 1.4-14.2).

CONCLUSION

We conclude that subclinical iron deficiency, presumably resulting from inadequate preconceptional iron supplies, is strongly and independently associated with vaginosis-like microflora during early pregnancy.

Association between erythropoietin in cord blood of twins and size at birth: does it relate to gestational factors or to factors during labor or delivery?

We hypothesized that cord blood erythropoietin (EPO), a marker of fetal hypoxia, relates to gestational factors and not solely those associated with delivery. We investigated the association between birth weight SD score (SDS) and cord blood EPO in 290 twins (145 pairs), assessing the influence of gestational versus perinatal factors by comparing the association in those who were delivered by elective cesarean (CS) with that in other delivery modes. Blood EPO values were skewed, so geometric means are presented and log EPO values were used in statistical models. The birth size-EPO association was estimated in mixed-effects models that included terms that represented difference in log EPO and mean log EPO for each twin pair. Within-pair estimates of the association were unconfounded by maternal factors (because these were perfectly controlled). Geometric mean EPO was higher in boys versus girls (24.4 versus 17.0 IU/L; p = 0.0001) and increased with gestational age (p = 0.0003) but was similar after elective CS versus other delivery modes. The negative birth size-EPO association was stronger in infants who were delivered by elective CS than by other delivery modes [beta for log(2) EPO: -0.56 (95% CI, -0.77 to -0.36) versus -0.27 (-0.42 to -0.12), respectively; p = 0.02 for interaction). Because the association was seen after elective CS delivery, cord blood EPO must relate to factors during gestation, not just perinatal factors. There was no evidence of an association between birth weight SDS and pair mean log EPO, indicating that the association is entirely due to fetus-specific rather than pair-specific factors.

Treatment for women with postpartum iron deficiency anaemia

BACKGROUND

Postpartum anaemia is associated with breathlessness, tiredness, palpitations and maternal infections. Blood transfusions or iron supplementation have been used in the treatment of iron deficiency anaemia. Recently other anaemia treatments, in particular erythropoietin therapy, have also been used.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the clinical effects of treatments for postpartum anaemia, including oral, intravenous or subcutaneous iron/folate supplementation and erythropoietin administration, and blood transfusion.

SEARCH STRATEGY

We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group trials register (30 May 2004), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (The Cochrane Library, Issue 1, 2003), MEDLINE (1966 to March 2003), EMBASE (1980 to March 2003), Current Contents and ACP Journal Club (from inception to March 2003).

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing therapy for postpartum iron deficiency anaemia (oral, intravenous or subcutaneous administration of iron, folate, erythropoietin or blood transfusion) with placebo, another treatment or no treatment.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two reviewers independently assessed trial quality and extracted data.

MAIN RESULTS

Six included RCTs involving 411 women described treatment with erythropoietin or iron as their primary interventions. No RCTs were identified that assessed treatment with blood transfusion. Few outcomes relating to clinical maternal and neonatal factors were reported: studies focused largely on surrogate outcomes such as haematological indices. Overall, the methodological quality of the included RCTs was reasonable; however, their usefulness in this review is restricted by the interventions and outcomes reported. When compared with iron therapy only, erythropoietin increased the likelihood of lactation at discharge from hospital (1 RCT, n = 40; relative risk (RR) 1.90, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.21 to 2.98). No apparent effect on need for blood transfusions was found, when erythropoietin plus iron was compared to treatment with iron only (2 RCTs, n = 100; RR 0.20, 95% CI 0.01 to 3.92), although the RCTs may have been of insufficient size to rule out important clinical differences. Haematological indices (haemoglobin and haemocrit) showed some increases when erythropoietin was compared to iron only, iron and folate, but not when compared with placebo.

REVIEWERS' CONCLUSIONS

There is some limited evidence of favourable outcomes for treatment of postpartum anaemia with erythropoietin. However, most of the available literature focuses on laboratory haematological indices, rather than clinical outcomes. Further high-quality trials assessing the treatment of postpartum anaemia with iron supplementation and blood transfusions are required. Future trials may also examine the significance of the severity of anaemia in relation to treatment, and an iron-rich diet as an intervention.

Effect of administering recombinant erythropoietin to women with postpartum anemia: a meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

Recombinant erythropoietin (rEpo) has been administered to women with postpartum anemia in an attempt to accelerate their increase in hemoglobin concentration and reduce postpartum transfusions. However, it is not clear whether such an approach can be supported by evidence and should be generally recommended.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Medical and scientific literature from January 1990 to December 2002 was searched and studies that reported the administration of rEpo to women with postpartum anemia were evaluated.

RESULTS

Eight evaluated studies reported an aggregate of 480 women; 300 rEpo recipients and 180 controls. Significant diversity in design was observed in rEpo dose, route of rEpo administration, iron supplementation, and baseline hemoglobin. No significant safety concerns were reported. In all five studies where it was reported, 4 to 7 days after beginning treatment, greater increases in hemoglobin concentration were observed among the rEpo recipients than among the controls. However, heterogeneity of results (Q-test statistic, p<0.01) indicated that it was not appropriate to apply summary statistics. The effect of rEpo on postpartum transfusion rate was not measurable by summary statistics because of the limited number of transfusions given (no transfusions among the 300 rEpo recipients vs two transfusions among the 180 controls).

CONCLUSION

Administration of rEpo to women with postpartum anemia appears to be safe, and is associated with a trend toward a faster increase in hemoglobin concentration. However, its efficacy in terms of diminishing postpartum transfusions is unproven.

Timing of fetal nucleated red blood cell count elevation in response to acute hypoxia

We determined the effect of an acute episode of severe hypoxia on peripheral nucleated red blood cell (RBC) counts in the fetal rat. Timed pregnant rats were randomized to a 2-hour exposure to hypoxia (placement in a chamber containing a gas mixture with 9% O2 +3% CO2 + balanced N2) or to a 2-hour exposure to a sham chamber containing room air. Two maternal animals per group underwent cesarean section immediately after the 2-hour period and then 4, 12, 24, 36, 48, and 60 h after exposure. Fetal nucleated RBC counts were compared between groups at each time interval. The nucleated RBC counts were not significantly different in the hypoxia group until 12 h (mean +/- SEM 158.0 +/- 22.4 RBC/10 high-power fields vs. 90.6 +/- 11.0; p = 0.03) and 24 h (133.2 +/- 16.0 vs. 84.1 +/- 9.0; p = 0.04) after exposure. There were no differences between groups 36, 48, and 60 h after exposure. In the near-term rat fetus, acute hypoxia was associated with a delayed but transient increase in peripheral nucleated RBC counts.

Planning for hemorrhage. Steps an anesthesiologist can take to limit and treat hemorrhage in the obstetric patient

Obstetric hemorrhage continues to be a significant cause of maternal mortality and morbidity. Blood transfusion in such circumstances may be life saving but involves exposing the patient to additional risks. Limiting blood transfusion and using autologous blood when possible may reduce some of these risks. This article outlines the techniques that may be used to limit and more effectively treat hemorrhage in the obstetric patient, with particular attention paid to reducing the use of allogeneic blood transfusion.

Efficacy and safety of intravenously administered iron sucrose with and without adjuvant recombinant human erythropoietin for the treatment of resistant iron-deficiency anemia during pregnancy

OBJECTIVE

This study was undertaken to determine the efficacy and safety of intravenously administered iron sucrose with versus without adjuvant recombinant human erythropoietin in the treatment of gestational iron-deficiency anemia resistant to therapy with orally administered iron alone.

STUDY DESIGN

Forty patients with gestational iron-deficiency anemia were randomly assigned to receive intravenously iron sucrose plus recombinant human erythropoietin or iron sucrose alone twice weekly. Target hemoglobin value was 11.0 g/dL. Efficacy measures were reticulocyte count, increase in hematocrit, and time to target hemoglobin level (treatment duration in weeks and need for continued therapy after 4 weeks).

RESULTS

Both regimens were effective, but with adjuvant recombinant human erythropoietin the reticulocyte counts were higher from day 4 (P<.01), increases in hematocrit were greater from day 11 (P <.01), and the median duration of therapy was shorter (18 vs 25 days), with more patients reaching the target hemoglobin level by 4 weeks of treatment (n = 19 vs. n = 15). The groups did not differ with respect to maternal-fetal safety parameters.

CONCLUSION

Adjuvant recombinant human erythropoietin safely enhanced the efficacy of iron sucrose in the treatment of gestational iron-deficiency anemia resistant to orally administered iron alone.

Effectiveness of recombinant erythropoietin and iron sucrose vs. iron therapy only, in patients with postpartum anaemia and blunted erythropoiesis

BACKGROUND

To compare efficacy between recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO) plus parenteral iron vs. iron alone (parenteral vs. oral) in postpartum anaemia.

METHODS

Sixty patients (haemoglobin 8.6 +/- 1.1 g dL-1) were randomized to rhEPO plus intravenous (i.v.) iron sucrose (group 1), rhEPO placebo plus i.v. iron sucrose (group 2), or oral iron alone (group 3), daily for 4 days beginning 48-72 h postpartum. Erythropoiesis and iron status were assessed before, and on 4, 7 and 14 days after, starting therapy.

RESULTS

On day 7 the group 1 haematocrit increase was 7.7 +/- 3.1% vs. 5.3 +/- 1.9% (group 2, P < 0.01) and 4.4 +/- 3.2% (group 3, P < 0.01), and on day 14, 11.3 +/- 2.9% vs. 9.2 +/- 3.4% (group 2, P < 0.05) and 8 +/- 2.8% (group 3, P < 0.01). The odds of achieving a target haematocrit > 32% on day 7 and > 35% on day 14 were higher on rhEPO (1.5-2.7) than on either iron regimen alone. Group 1 reticulocyte counts were also higher on days 4 (P < 0.05 vs. oral iron) and 7 (P < 0.01 vs. oral and parenteral iron).

CONCLUSION

All three regimens were effective in postpartum anaemia, but the haematocrit and reticulocyte responses to rhEPO plus parenteral iron were significantly greater than to iron alone. Benefit was greatest in the blunted erythropoiesis subgroup with elevated post-Caesarean section C-reactive protein levels.