Original article
English
A. Boueshi, M. Turki, A. W, Nasuf, O. Fituri
Department of Paediatrics, Elfateh University, Tripoli, Libya
JMJ Vol.3 No.1 (March) 2004: 54-58
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Erythropoietin (EPO) therapy and appropriate iron administration are important aspects for managing the anaemia of chronic renal failure. Achieving target haemoglobin levels of 11 to 12 g/dl, and optimizing iron balance should improve clinical outcome and increase patient quality of life. The need for blood transfusions has been largely eliminated. METHODS: Twenty patients were included in this study, a 40 units/Kg twice weekly, subcutaneously of EPO were given to all patients. Serial haemoglobin (Hgb.), haematocrit (Hct.), platelets, ferritin, urea, creatinine were estimated regularly. RESULTS: The rate of increasing Hgb. were l g/month, steady increase in the Hct levels, moderate rise in the platelets count within the normal range during treatment with EPO, this progresses during the course of continued therapy. Transient increase in serum potassium, and a fall in serum ferritin were observed in patients whom were not taking iron supplement, therefore oral iron was started accompanied with a rise in serum ferritin. CONCLUSIONS: Our study affords conclusive evidence that EPO therapy gives good results in the treatment of anaemia in chronic renal insufficiency with no deleterious increase in blood pressure.
Keywords: Erythropoietin, anaemia, chronic renal failure
Link/DOI: http://www.jmj.org.ly/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=1304