Title:Neonatal Anemia
Volume: 19
Issue: 4
Author(s): Kendell R. German and Sandra E. Juul*
Affiliation:
- Department of Neonatal Anemia, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
Keywords:
Anemia, neonate, anemia of prematurity, erythropoietin, iron, transfusions.
Abstract: All neonates experience a downtrend in their hematocrit values immediately following
the birth through normal falls in erythropoietin (Epo) production, transition to adult hemoglobin,
and hemodilution with somatic growth. However, this drop is more pronounced in critically ill and
preterm neonates and can lead to potentially pathologic anemia that impairs tissue oxygen delivery.
In this review, we highlight the mechanisms underlying physiologic anemia and anemia of prematurity
and briefly review the evidence for the treatment of anemia in the neonatal population, including
the use of red blood cell transfusions, erythropoietic stimulating agents, and iron supplementation.