Abstract

Reviewing 37 adult marrow donors, the hemoglobin (Hb) level at 3 weeks before marrow aspiration was predictive for the low Hb level just before the operation. Accordingly, erythropoietin was given to donors whose Hb level was less than 130 milligrams at 3 weeks before operation. One hundred units/kg of recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO) was given subcutaneously 3 times a week for 3 weeks. Four donors received rhEPO, and their data were compared with those from four historical controls. The initial average Hb level was 126.3 milligrams in the rhEPO group and 125.3 milligrams in the control group. The preoperative Hb level was 133.0 milligrams in the rhEPO group and 104.0 milligrams in the control group; the postoperative Hb levels were 123.8 and 90.8 milligrams, respectively. Engraftment was obtained in all patients who received the marrow from the donors treated with rhEPO and there was no significant delay in the recovery of white blood cell, reticulocytes and platelet counts. A 3-week regimen of erythropoietin may help prevent the donor's need to receive allogeneic blood transfusion, when the initial Hb levels were below 130 milligrams.

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