Anemija u nedonoščadi je patološko stanje koje u pravilu pogaða novoroðenčad vrlo niske rodne mase. Uzrok anemije je nedovoljno stvaranje eritropoetina. Osnova liječenja su transfuzije koje bolesnika izlaæu mnogim nepoželjnim učincima. Pojava sintetskih rekombinantnih humanih eritropoetina (rHuEPO) pružila je mogućnost poticanja vlastite eritropoeze i time smanjila potrebu za transfuzijama. Primjena rekombinantnoga humanog eritropoetina ne dovodi do supresije vlastite proizvodnje eritropoetina u nedonoščadi. Nuspojave koje se javljaju tijekom ili nakon liječenja anemije, rijetko su zamijećene. Primjena rHuEPO u nedonoščadi ne utječe na rast. U liječenju anemije zbog nedonošenosti, uz rHuEPO potrebno je osigurati primjeren unos željeza, vitamina i bjelančevina. Racionalna primjena eritropoetina u prevenciji i liječenju anemije zbog nedonošenosti, svakako znači napredak u cjelokupnoj skrbi za prijevremeno roðenu djecu.Anemia in prematures is a pathological state usually present in neonates with low birth weight. The cause of anemia is insufficient erythropoietin secretion. The principal treatment previously were blood transfusions which exposed the patients to many adverse effects. Discovery of synthetic recombinant human erythropoietins (rHuEPO) has given the opportunity to induce patient's erythropoiesis and reduce the need for blood transfusions. The use of rHuEPO in such condition doesn't suppress patient's own erythropoiesis, with low incidence of adverse events during and after the treatment. At the same time, rHuEPO doesn't influence patient's growth. Treatment of anemia in prematurity, beside the use of rHuEPO, also must include adequate iron, vitamins and proteins intake. The introduction and rational use of rHuEPO in the prevention and treatment of anemia in prematures certainly represents the significant progress in total medical care for such premature born children
