![]() ![]() Treatment will depend on the level of red blood cells (hematocrit), as well as symptoms your baby has. The doctor will likely also do other blood tests to make sure the higher level of hematocrit is not caused by another condition. If the number is too high, your baby may need treatment. The baby may also temporarily stop breathing (apnea), not feed well, or have low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).Ī blood test (hematocrit) is done to measure the level of red blood cells. The baby may also have a bluish color around his or her lips (cyanosis). This is often the first sign of a problem. But a baby with this condition may have skin that looks red, especially while the baby is crying. Most babies with polycythemia don't look any different from normal. Just after birth, too many red blood cells traveled from the umbilical cord to the baby before the cord was clamped. The baby got extra red blood cells from another source, such as from a twin during pregnancy. The baby’s body makes more red blood cells than it should. The problem may be caused by one of the following: As a result, some organs may not get enough oxygen. When blood is too thick, it travels through the body more slowly than normal. The extra red cells make the blood thicker. It’s the opposite of anemia, which is caused by too few red cells. Polycythemia occurs when a baby’s blood has more red cells than normal. Red blood cells carry oxygen in the blood. Polycythemia and Hyperviscosity in the Newborn
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |