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Effect of human recombinant erythropoietin on bleeding time, platelet number and function in children with end-stage renal disease maintained by haemodialysis

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Abstract

We studied platelet number and function in nine anaemic children with end-stage renal disease during a clinical trial with recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO). All the children showed a correction in both haematocrit and haemoglobin levels which was followed by a significant reduction in bleeding time. We also observed a significant increasse in platelet count after both 6 and 12 weeks of therapy; at the same time mean platelet volume decreased and a normal platelet mass was maintained. The mean baseline platelet aggregation response to ADP was normal, but was decreased to collagen (P<0.05 vs normal control). Platelet production of thromboxane B2 in serum was also lower than normal controls. After correction of anaemia with rHu-EPO, platelet aggregation improved in patients with a decreased baseline response, and mean levels of thromboxane B2 became normal. In conclusion, the treatment with rHu-EPO improved haemostatic balance not only by correcting anaemia, but also by increasing platelet count and function.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Medical Semeiotics, Second Chair of Medicine, University of Padua Medical School, Padua, Italy

    Fabrizio Fabris, Immacolata Cordiano, Maria Luigia Randi & Alessandra Casonato

  2. Department of Paediatrics, University of Padua Medical School, Padua, Italy

    Giovanni Montini, Graziella Zacchello & A. Girolami

Authors
  1. Fabrizio Fabris
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  2. Immacolata Cordiano
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  3. Maria Luigia Randi
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  4. Alessandra Casonato
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  5. Giovanni Montini
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  6. Graziella Zacchello
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  7. A. Girolami
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Fabris, F., Cordiano, I., Randi, M.L. et al. Effect of human recombinant erythropoietin on bleeding time, platelet number and function in children with end-stage renal disease maintained by haemodialysis. Pediatr Nephrol 5, 225–228 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01095958

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01095958

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