Anemia of prematurity laboratory findings

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Asra Firdous, M.B.B.S.[2]

Laboratory findings consistent with the diagnosis of anemia of prematuriy are reduced hemoglobin, hematocrit, and reticulocyte count in the blood. Normocytic, normochromic RBCs and red blood cell precursors are seen predominantly on the peripheral smear of patients with anemia of prematurity.

Laboratory findings consistent with the diagnosis of anemia of prematurity include^[1]:

• Decreased hemoglobin
• Decreased hematocrit

• Decreased reticulocyte count (reticulocytopenia)

• Normocytic, normochromic red blood cells
• Predominant red blood cell precursors

• Decreased serum ferritin
• Increased zinc protoporphyrin to heme ratio (ZnPP/H)

• Negative

• Elevated lactic acid levels

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