Erythropoiesis of very low‐birth‐weight infants dependent on prenatal growth rate and protein status

Kivivuori SM, Järvenpää AL, Salmenperä L, Viinikka L, Siimes MA. Erythropoiesis of very low‐birth‐weight infants dependent on prenatal growth rate and protein status. Acta Paediatr 1994; 83:13–18. Stockholm. ISSN 0803–5253 This study investigated erythropoiesis in very low‐birth‐weight infants with special reference to the role of protein status in the regulation of erythropoiesis in 22 appropriate‐ and 11 small‐for‐gestational‐age infants. Blood sampies were drawn at three and six weeks of age. The serum concentrations of erythropoietin, estimated by a solid‐phase enzyme immunoassay, were similar in the two groups at both study ages. The total circulating erythrocyte volume and the serum concentration of prealbumin were higher in the appropriate‐ than in the small‐for‐gestational‐age infants at three and six weeks of age. The former group had a better protein status, although their protein intake was similar or lower. We conclude that erythropoiesis in very low‐birth‐weight infants is influenced more by protein status and prenatal growth than by serum concentration of erythropoietin.