Anemia in the neonatal period

Abstract

The term anemia refers to a pathological reduction in the hematocrit, blood hemoglobin concentration, and circulating erythrocyte count [1, 2]. These three laboratory measures are somewhat similar to one another, in that each quantifies the same biological variable involving the capacity of blood to deliver oxygen to tissues. However, none of the three measurements actually assesses whether oxygen demands of tissues are being adequately met. In fact, limitations in delivery of oxygen to a neonate’s tissues are frequently not the result of anemia at all, but instead are due to abnormalities in oxygen intake from pulmonary pathology. This chapter reviews the various pathologies that give rise to anemia during the neonatal period, and provides practical approaches for dealing with these clinical issues.