Erythropoietin therapy for anemia of prematurity.

Recombinant human erythropoietin administration may prove to be a valuable adjunct in the treatment of the anemia of prematurity. This report provides an overview of fetal and neonatal erythropoiesis, the biology of erythropoietin, and the pathophysiology of the anemia of prematurity. The clinical trials using recombinant human erythropoietin in the treatment of anemia of prematurity are reviewed. Important considerations of this therapy are discussed.