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
Introduction
Anemia of prematurity is a condition where red blood cell production is decreased due to reduced erythropoietin production. It is commonly seen in preterm infants admitted in the neonatal intensive care unit.
What are the symptoms of anemia of prematurity?
Symptoms of anemia of prematurity include one or more of the following:
- Pale skin
- Lethargy
- Decreased activity
- Difficulty breathing
- Rapid heart rate
- Poor weight gain
- Feeding difficulties
What causes anemia of prematurity?
- Preterm birth
- Blood loss during phlebotomy for laboratory investigations
Who is at highest risk?
Diagnosis
Blood tests show
- Low hemoglobin levels
- Low red blood cell count
- Low hematocrit levels
- Loe reticulocyte count
A peripheral blood smear shows normocytic, normochromic red blood cells with predominant red blood cell precursors
Treatment options
- Mild disease needs close monitoring and supportive care
- Infants with moderate to severe anemia require blood transfusion or erythropoietin therapy
Prevention
- Limit blood loss during phlebotomy
- Improve placental transfusion by following two methods
- Delayed cord clamping
- Umbilical cord milking
What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?
With prompt diagnosis and early treatment, symptoms resolve without any complications in infants with anemia of prematurity. If left untreated, anemia of prematurity leads to serious complications
Possible complications
Complications include:
- Poor growth
- Apnea
- Cardiovascular instability
Sources
- The National Library of Medicine http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/.
References
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Asra Firdous, M.B.B.S.[2]
Want to know more?
A more detailed clinical article for the same condition is available from WikiDoc. It is written for medical professionals and uses technical language.