Physiologic Anemia In Babies
Introduction
Anemia is a condition in which there are not enough red blood cells or hemoglobin in the body. Red blood cells and hemoglobin carry oxygen through the body. When a baby has anemia, her or his body cannot get enough oxygen. Untreated, some types of anemia can lead to developmental delays and are associated with lower standardized test scores later in life.
Most babies develop a type of anemia called physiologic anemia when they are 6–9 weeks old due to a normal breakdown of red blood cells. Physiologic anemia is usually mild and goes away at about age 6–8 weeks when the body replaces the lost cells. Babies can also get other types of anemia.
What are the causes?
This condition may be caused by:
A normal breakdown of red blood cells. …show more content…
Mild cases of anemia may not need to be treated. More advanced cases may be treated by:
A blood transfusion. This may be done if your baby is losing a lot of blood or has a low blood cell count.
Giving your baby iron supplements. All premature infants will receive iron supplementation.
Limiting the number of blood tests your baby receives.
Follow these instructions at home:
Watch your child carefully for problems that require medical attention.
Keep all follow-up visits as told by your child's health care provider. This is important.
Contact a health care provider if:
Your baby becomes paler.
Your baby is less active than before.
Your baby does not feed properly or feeding problems become worse.
Your baby develops jaundice or your baby's jaundice gets worse.
Your baby has a fever.
Get help right away if:
Your baby has pauses in breathing (apnea) that last more than 20 seconds.
Your baby feeds very little or not at all.
Your baby has a very weak cry.
It is hard to wake your baby.
Your baby goes 12 hours with a dry diaper.
Your baby is breathing very fast.
Your baby who is younger than 3 months has a temperature of 100°F (38°C) or higher.
Anemia is a condition in which there are not enough red blood cells or hemoglobin in the body. Red blood cells and hemoglobin carry oxygen through the body. When a baby has anemia, her or his body cannot get enough oxygen. Untreated, some types of anemia can lead to developmental delays and are associated with lower standardized test scores later in life.
Most babies develop a type of anemia called physiologic anemia when they are 6–9 weeks old due to a normal breakdown of red blood cells. Physiologic anemia is usually mild and goes away at about age 6–8 weeks when the body replaces the lost cells. Babies can also get other types of anemia.
What are the causes?
This condition may be caused by:
A normal breakdown of red blood cells. …show more content…
Mild cases of anemia may not need to be treated. More advanced cases may be treated by:
A blood transfusion. This may be done if your baby is losing a lot of blood or has a low blood cell count.
Giving your baby iron supplements. All premature infants will receive iron supplementation.
Limiting the number of blood tests your baby receives.
Follow these instructions at home:
Watch your child carefully for problems that require medical attention.
Keep all follow-up visits as told by your child's health care provider. This is important.
Contact a health care provider if:
Your baby becomes paler.
Your baby is less active than before.
Your baby does not feed properly or feeding problems become worse.
Your baby develops jaundice or your baby's jaundice gets worse.
Your baby has a fever.
Get help right away if:
Your baby has pauses in breathing (apnea) that last more than 20 seconds.
Your baby feeds very little or not at all.
Your baby has a very weak cry.
It is hard to wake your baby.
Your baby goes 12 hours with a dry diaper.
Your baby is breathing very fast.
Your baby who is younger than 3 months has a temperature of 100°F (38°C) or higher.