Recombinant human erythropoietin in the treatment of postpartum anemia.

Postpartum maternal anemia (hemoglobin concentration below 10 g/dL) is a common problem in obstetrics. Human recombinant erythropoietin, which has been shown to correct the anemia of end-stage renal disease and eliminate the need for transfusions, was used in a comparative study of women with postpartum hemoglobin concentrations below 10 g/dL. Five daily doses of 4000 IU were given. Hematologic and clinical data were compared on days 5, 14, and 42 after therapy in the treated women and in untreated women. Both groups received the same iron and folic acid supplements. Significantly greater increases in reticulocytes, hemoglobin, and hematocrit were seen by day 5 for the treated subjects compared with controls. Ferritin levels were significantly lower in the therapy group than in controls. No differences were seen between the groups in the platelet counts or clinical characteristics. No negative side effects were observed. As in other studies in populations without renal disease, recombinant human erythropoietin enhanced endogenous erythropoiesis over and above the normal physiologic recovery rate.