View clinical trials related to Neonatal Anemia.
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Neonatal anemia is the most commonly encountered hematologic problem among all neonates cared for in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). This project seeks to better understand the pathophysiology and treatment of this challenging and important condition, especially as it affects premature, critically ill very low birth weight (VLBW) infants who require intensive laboratory blood monitoring leading to the need for multiple red blood cell (RBC) transfusions (RBCTX). In the research strategy proposed in Study 1, Aims 1, 2 and 3, recombinant human erythropoietin (Epoetin Alpha, PROCRIT, provided by Janssen Scientific Affairs) will first be administered to 1.0 to 1.5 kg VLBW infants; then comprehensive pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD) data will be systematically gathered and analyzed to identify clinical and laboratory covariate parameters differentiating the infants based on their level of Epoetin Alpha responsiveness. Finally the Epoetin Alpha responsiveness predictors thus determined will be applied prospectively in the Aim 4 Study, a 2 x 2 design in which VLBW infants will be identified as good or poor Epoetin Alpha responders, based on the predictors, and then randomly assigned to receive Epoetin Alpha treatment or no treatment. This will test the central hypothesis: RBCTX can be eliminated in the majority of good Epoetin Alpha responders by optimal administration of Epoetin Alpha, but only marginal reductions in RBCTx will occur in the poor Epoetin Alpha responders. This project challenges the prevailing thinking that the efficacy of Epoetin Alpha dosing in stimulating erythropoiesis is insufficient to eliminate the need for RBC transfusions in VLBW infants. Based on extensive preclinical and clinical PK/PD studies by our PPG team, we contend that previous Erythropoietin treatment studies in VLBW infants were not able to realize the full potential of Erythropoietin to eliminate RBCTX (in contrast to the very successful use of Erythropoietin in adult renal failure patients) because previous VLBW studies were conducted 1) without Epoetin Alpha dosing individualized for the complexities of neonatal erythropoiesis and PK/PD of Epoetin Alpha and 2) without consistent criteria for RBC transfusion, Epoetin Alpha dosing, and patient enrollment. Net Epoetin Alpha responsiveness as reflected in Hb level depends on two components: Epoetin Alpha PD and RBC lifespan (Fig 15). By determining RBC lifespan, we will explain inter-subject variability of Epoetin Alpha responsiveness resulting from one of these components. The fetal lifespan data will be examined for its correlation with gestational age. If the correlation is statistically significant, gestational age will be included in the final selection of covariates for the population PK/PD model to be developed at the end of Infant Study 1. To fully understand the correlation of RBC lifespan with gestational age infants ranging from 22-42 weeks gestational age will be studied. The overall impact of Project 1 will be significant and potentially transformative: the development of a personalized, mechanism-driven approach built on sound principles will improve understanding of neonatal anemia and will be applicable to the care of premature, anemic infants. RELEVANCE Project 1 results confirming our hypothesis that PK/PD optimized Epo treatment is effective in eliminating RBC transfusions administered to a select sub-group of NICU infants will provide fundamental knowledge about neonatal anemia that will reduce the burden of illness and disability caused by this condition. In addition, our results will stimulate researchers to extend our findings to other sub-groups with neonatal anemia, ie, smaller and sicker infants, and will stimulate novel treatments with similar, new biotechnology-produced protein drugs.
Objectives: 1) To determine risk factors for fetomaternal hemorrhage. 2) To identify a cost-effective method to detect fetomaternal hemorrhage prior to significant fetal anemia. Significance/Background: Fetomaternal hemorrhage (FMH) is a condition in which occurs when the placenta transfers blood from the fetus to the mother. Normally, nutrition and gasses pass from mother to baby through the placenta and only waste products pass from baby to mother through the placenta. Whole blood cells do not normally cross the placenta in significant amounts. Mild FMH, where a small amount of whole blood passes from fetus to mother but does not hurt the mother or baby, occurs in about 75% of pregnancies. A pregnant woman does not know this occurs. It is only discovered if a special blood test that is labor-intensive to perform and difficult to interpret called the Kleihauer-Betke acid elution test is done. As mild FMH hurts no one, this test is not part of routine care. In most cases, testing is done only if a baby is born sick with unexplained anemia. Severe FMH, which can cause the baby to become sick from anemia (low red blood cell count) is caused by large blood loss into the mother, occurs in only 1-3 per 1000 births. Severe anemia caused by FMH can result in death of the baby before or after birth, or significant illness in the newborn period. Short term problems for the baby include difficulty breathing, difficulty maintaining blood pressure, and difficulty providing oxygen to all parts of the body. This can cause multiple problems with the function of internal organs including the liver, kidneys, intestines, and brain. Babies who become sick from severe FMH can develop long-term problems including cerebral palsy (a lifelong problem with body movements) and/or mental retardation. It is not known why some pregnancies are affected by FMH and others are not. It is thought that FMH may occur more frequently now than in the past, but no one knows why. If identified early, FMH is readily treatable by blood transfusion of the baby before or after birth and/or early delivery. Current laboratory testing for FMH is difficult and expensive. There is great need identify high risk patients early in pregnancy in order to treat the condition before the baby gets sick. Approach: Five hundred women will be asked to participate in the study at the time they are admitted to the Mount Sinai labor floor for delivery at term. After birth, newborns of study mothers will be tested for anemia. Mothers of anemic babies will donate blood for confirmation of FMH by established laboratory methods as well as for development of a new laboratory screening protocol. All mothers will provide medical, social, environmental, and full pregnancy history. Risk factors for FMH will be identified by statistical analysis of this information.
OUR OVERALL HYPOTHESIS is that post-transfusion survival of allogeneic and autologous RBCs can be accurately quantified in anemic human infants using biotin-labeled RBCs combined with mathematical modeling that adjusts for confounding factors commonly encountered in neonates. These confounding factors include 1) dilution of labeled RBC as a result of growth stimulated erythropoiesis, anemia stimulated erythropoiesis, and blood transfusion; 2) loss of labeled RBC due to laboratory phlebotomy; and 3) variable RBC life spans resulting from RBCs having been produced at different developmental periods and under varying rates of erythropoiesis. In contrast to infants, adjustment for these factors is not necessary in healthy adults under conditions of steady state erythropoiesis. Instead in adults, RBC survival is typified by a linear decline in concentration of labeled RBCs over time. When this line is extrapolated to zero concentration, the intercept with the time axis represents the mean potential lifespan (MPL) of RBCs. (<7 d) and stored (>21 d) allogeneic adult RBCs transfused in the same infant.