Anemia of prematurity natural history, complications and prognosis

Anemia of prematurity can be asymptomatic or produce abnormal clinical signs and symptoms depending on the hemoglobin levels. Mild symptoms usually resolve spontaneously without treatment. Severe symptoms require treatment with blood transfusion and erythropoietin. Untreated anemia of prematurity can lead to poor growth, apnea, and cardiovascular instability. The prognosis of anemia of prematurity is good with prompt diagnosis and early treatment.

• In preterm infants, anemia gets worsened due to other illness related to prematurity and blood loss during phlebotomy^[1]
• Premature infants develop abnormal clinical signs and symptoms depending on the hemoglobin levels^[2]
• Some infants can be asymptomatic or develop mild symptoms that require little or no therapy
• Others develop severe signs and symptoms that require treatment with blood transfusion and erythropoietin
• If left untreated, anemia of prematurity leads to cardiovascular instability

Anemia of prematurity can develop following complications^[3]:

• Poor growth
• Apnea
• Cardiovascular instability

Complications that can develop as a result of the treatment of anemia of prematurity are^[4]

• Infections
• Allergic reactions
• Iron overload
• Fluid overload
• Electrolyte imbalance
• Calcium disturbance
• Immune mediated adverse reactions
  • Acute hemolytic reaction
  • Febrile non-hemolytic reaction
  • Immunosuppression
  • Graft versus host disease
  • Transfusion related acute lung injury
• Transfusion of toxic substances present in the blood
  • Lead
  • Mercury
  • Plasticizers
• Necrotizing enterocolitis
• Bronchopulmonary dysplasia

• The prognosis of anemia of prematurity is good with prompt diagnosis and early treatment^[5]
• Milder cases usually resolve spontaneously with age
• Without adequate treatment, anemia of prematurity will result in serious complications

Template:WH Template:WS