Anemia is simply defined as a lack ofred blood cells(hemoglobin). As red blood cells are responsible for transporting oxygen to the cells and tissues of the body, the lack of hemoglobin can lead to lethargy, weakness, breathing problems, heart dysfunction, and other complications.
In premature babies, the complications can be far greater, resulting in developmental problems and a failure to thrive in more severe cases.
Causes
It is not uncommon for newborns to have mild anemia. As a rule, the red blood cells of an infant break down faster than new ones are made. Babies tend to be at their most anemic around two to three months and gradually improve over the next two years. Anemia of this type usually doesn’t need any treatment other than a healthy diet with plenty of iron.
Preemies are an entirely different story. In some cases, they can develop a more severe type of anemia called anemia of prematurity. This simply means that the preemie hasn’t undergone biological changes needed to produce new blood cells independent of their mother.
Some of these changes happen in the final weeks of pregnancy, including the stage when red blood cell production is transferred from the liver to the bone marrow. These gaps in fetal development can easily lead to anemia.
The need to take frequent blood samples to perform necessary laboratory tests during neonatal intensive care can make anemia worse. Even a small blood draw can cause a dramatic drop in the preemie’s hemoglobin count.
Symptoms and Diagnosis
Treatment and Prevention
In preterm babies, the symptoms of anemia will more often need to be treated. Among the treatment options:
2 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Merck Manual.Anemia in the newborn.Wang M.Iron deficiency and other types of anemia in infants and children.Am Fam Physician.2016;93(4):270-278.Additional ReadingVon Kohorn, I. and Ehrenkranz, R.Anemia in the preterm infant: erythropoietin versus erythrocyte transfusion — it’s not that simple.Clinical Perinatology.2009; 36(1):111-123. doi:10.1016/j.clp.2008.09.009.
2 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Merck Manual.Anemia in the newborn.Wang M.Iron deficiency and other types of anemia in infants and children.Am Fam Physician.2016;93(4):270-278.Additional ReadingVon Kohorn, I. and Ehrenkranz, R.Anemia in the preterm infant: erythropoietin versus erythrocyte transfusion — it’s not that simple.Clinical Perinatology.2009; 36(1):111-123. doi:10.1016/j.clp.2008.09.009.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Merck Manual.Anemia in the newborn.Wang M.Iron deficiency and other types of anemia in infants and children.Am Fam Physician.2016;93(4):270-278.
Merck Manual.Anemia in the newborn.
Wang M.Iron deficiency and other types of anemia in infants and children.Am Fam Physician.2016;93(4):270-278.
Von Kohorn, I. and Ehrenkranz, R.Anemia in the preterm infant: erythropoietin versus erythrocyte transfusion — it’s not that simple.Clinical Perinatology.2009; 36(1):111-123. doi:10.1016/j.clp.2008.09.009.
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