Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Anemia of prematurity causes
Introduction
Overview
Overview
Common causes of anemia of prematurity include preterm birth, blood loss during phlebotomy, increased destruction of red blood cells, and decreased production of red blood cells. Iron, vitamin B6, vitamin E, and folate deficiencies are less common causes of anemia of prematurity.
Causes
Causes
Life threatening causes
- There are no life-threatening causes of anemia of prematurity.
Common causes
Common causes of anemia of prematurity include[1]:
- Premature birth
- Phlebotomy for laboratory testing in preterm infants
- Increased destruction of RBC
- Shortened lifespan of RBC
- Rh-incompatibility
- Hemolytic anemias
- Decreased production of RBC
- Decreased erythropoietin production
Less common causes
Less common causes of anemia of prematurity include[2]:
- Iron, Vitamin B6, Vitamin E, and Folate deficiencies
References
References
- ↑ Strauss RG (2010). “Anaemia of prematurity: pathophysiology and treatment”. Blood Rev. 24 (6): 221–5. doi:10.1016/j.blre.2010.08.001. PMC 2981681. PMID 20817366.
- ↑ “Anemia of Prematurity | Annual Review of Medicine”.
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Asra Firdous, M.B.B.S.[2]