RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: Anaemia is a common problem during pregnancy and the puerperium. This study was designed to determine the efficacy and safety of giving recombinant human erythropoietin (EPO) to anaemic women during the puerperium. METHOD: Thirty-seven women received a single dose of EPO (20 000 IU intravenously) immediately after delivery. A control population (n = 37) matched according to age and haemoglobin concentration was evaluated. All women received oral iron supplementation for 40 days after delivery. Haemoglobin concentrations were measured 4 and 40 days after delivery. Blood transfusions were given depending on clinical condition and haemoglobin level. RESULTS: Patients treated with EPO had a significantly higher mean haemoglobin concentration than control patients at days 4 and 40. No women in the EPO group required a transfusion, compared with six in the control group. No side-effects and fewer anaemia-related symptoms were observed during EPO treatment. CONCLUSION: EPO given at delivery is effective in decreasing the need for blood transfusion and the incidence of problems associated with anaemia during the puerperium.