[Effectiveness of and tolerance to human recombinant erythropoietin in the treatment of kidney failure anemia in children undergoing continuous peritoneal dialysis. Multicenter study].

Eight young children with renal failure, undergoing continuous peritoneal dialysis (CDP) and presenting an anemia (hemoglobin level [Hb] 57 to 89 g/l) were treated by subcutaneous recombinant human erythropoietin (rHu EPO) twice weekly. The initial dose of 75 U/kg was adjusted to induce progressive increase of Hb with a target level of 100-120 g/l. Treatment duration was 24 weeks in five of these children and 10 to 13 weeks in the three others. In seven cases out of eight, anemia was corrected. The target Hb level was reached in 3 to 21 weeks with rHu EPO doses of 150 to 300 U/kg/w (mean: 200 U/kg/w) for four children without recent transfusion; then the median maintenance dose was 135 U/kg/w (range: 50-300 U/kg/w). In only one patient, Hb never reached a level higher than 77 g/l despite weekly dose of 350 U/kg, a reticulocytosis of 5.6%, rHu EPO treatment lasting up to 24 weeks and the absence of iron deficiency. In any case, no transfusion was necessary after the first day of rHu EPO treatment. In three patients, the increase of a preexisting hypertension required the adaptation of antihypertensive treatments. One patient presented a marked thrombocytosis. In conclusion, twice-a-week subcutaneous injections of 75 to 150 U/kg of rHu EPO appear to be well tolerated and effective in the treatment of anemia of CPD children.