“Is anemia in preterm babies normal?”
My baby was a preterm birth during the 8 month of my pregnancy. While we are now back home, the doctor has asked me to be on guard because my child is anemic. Is this normal in preterm babies or is it something to be worried about?
6 Answers
All babies (preterm and full term) will have anemia in the first few months at home. In the womb, red blood cells are made by the liver, while after birth the bone marrow will start to make these red cells, instead. The bone marrow will not recognize its need to do the work until red cells are geting fewer and fewer (that is anemia). Once red cells become too few, the bone marrow will "wake up" and start making red cells. This process is called "physiologic anemia". Basically, a natural process. As long as your baby is feeding adequately, taking the needed vitamins, and growing, you should not worry about anemia. [cid:578e0a36-33fb-4007-9743-3fd4bc3d81d1] Hany Aly, MD, MSHS, FAAP Chair | Division of Neonatology Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital Professor of Pediatrics, Case Western Reserve University Lerner's College of Medicine 9500 Euclid Ave. M31-37 Cleveland, OH 44195 Tel. (216) 444-2568 Fax. (216) 444-7625 Email AlyH@ccf.org<mailto:AlyH@ccf.org> [cid:1a97c695-12e4-4c63-87e8-e1b8249fb722]
Yes it can be normal. Michael L Spear, MD, MSEdl Faculty Advisor, Honor Board Professor of Pediatrics Drexel University College of Medicine
Anemia is normal early on. It should come up by 10 mon Td had if age.
Preterm infants have more severe anemia and earlier anemia than term infants. Some pediatricians would start iron supplements earlier for that reason.
Anemia in preterm babies is not unusual, The reasons are plenty, but baby should do well as long as baby is on iron orally and the hemoglobin/hematocrit is being monitored in addition to frequent clinical check ups.
It is normal. Observe feedings and respiratory pattern.
