Anemia treatment with erythropoietin in pregnant renal recipients

Abstract

Pregnancies in renal transplant patients are considered to be high risk. Anemia is one of the major complications of pregnancy occurring among 65% to 85% of cases in this setting, especially since these patients carry additional risk factors. Herein we have presented five renal transplant recipients who were women who were treated with human recombinant erythropoietin due to severe anemia that developed during pregnancy. Hemoglobin levels below 9 g/dL after 3 weeks of oral iron administration were assumed to be qualifying criteria for erythropoietin treatment. No complication was observed to be associated with the treatment. Two of the five patients required blood transfusions despite erythropoietin administration. Two cases delivered small for gestational fetus age. Erythropoietin therapy in pregnant kidney transplant recipients should be considered to be a safe method to reduce the need for blood transfusions.