Anemia of prematurity
Anemia of Prematurity
Anemia of prematurity (pronunciation: uh-nee-mee-uh of pre-muh-choor-i-tee) is a common condition that affects premature infants. It is characterized by a decrease in the number of red blood cells (RBCs) or the amount of hemoglobin (Hemoglobin) in the blood.
Etymology
The term "anemia" is derived from the Greek words "an" meaning "not" and "haima" meaning "blood". "Prematurity" refers to the state of being premature, or born before the normal gestation period.
Definition
Anemia of prematurity is defined as a decrease in the number of red blood cells or the amount of hemoglobin in the blood of a premature infant. This condition typically occurs in infants born before 32 weeks of gestation.
Causes
The primary cause of anemia of prematurity is the premature cessation of erythropoiesis (Erythropoiesis), or red blood cell production, in the fetus. Other contributing factors may include blood loss due to frequent blood sampling, nutritional deficiencies, and the short lifespan of fetal red blood cells.
Symptoms
Symptoms of anemia of prematurity may include pallor, tachycardia (Tachycardia), poor weight gain, and increased respiratory rate.
Treatment
Treatment for anemia of prematurity may include blood transfusions (Blood transfusion), administration of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents, and iron supplementation (Iron supplementation).
Related Terms
- Premature birth
- Red blood cell
- Hemoglobin
- Erythropoiesis
- Tachycardia
- Blood transfusion
- Iron supplementation
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Anemia of prematurity
- Wikipedia's article - Anemia of prematurity
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