Relations between EPO and ERFE in cord blood were influenced by cord blood Hb
concentrations. Johnson–Neyman analysis was undertaken to further assess the
interaction between the independent variables EPO and Hb on the dependent variable
ERFE concentration. The strength and significance of the relation between EPO and ERFE
change as neonatal Hb concentration increases. The x axis indicates
the range of Hb concentrations in umbilical cord blood. The y axis
indicates the slope for the regression between EPO and ERFE. The thick solid black
diagonal line demonstrates the slope of EPO and ERFE per Hb concentration, with the
curved lines being the 95% CI. The thick solid black line on the x
axis indicates the range of observed data. The dotted line indicates the Hb
concentration (17.7 g/dL) for which neonates with Hb concentrations above this value
no longer have a significant relation between EPO and ERFE, whereas neonates with Hb
concentrations <17.7 g/dL have a significant relation between EPO and ERFE
(P < 0.05). EPO, erythropoietin; ERFE, erythroferrone; Hb,
hemoglobin.