Patients:
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- If weight is <1000gm, wait until skin is "mature" (probably at one week of age)
- May be considered in larger infants if they have large or ongoing blood losses
- Pre-op patients may be considered if they are borderline anemic
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Dose:
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- 200U/kg/dose SQ given 3X/week (M-W-F) for 4 weeks
- Start on day 2 of life
- Iron supplementation is given 4-6 mg/kg/day divided TID
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Labs:
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- Initial - Hgb/Hct, retic count, WBC, platelet count.
- Repeat Hgb weekly.
- After 2 weeks – Hgb, retic count and platelets
- Check serum iron, ferritin if there is not a good response or if iron deficiency is suspected (thrombocytosis may suggest iron deficiency)
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Note:
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- Stool guaiac tests will be positive due to oral iron, and therefore should not routinely be done
- EPO doses are given Mon-Wed-Fri to simplify administration and to save costs (vials can be shared)
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