Polycythemia in the newborn

Debra C. Armentrout, Valerie Huseby

    Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

    6 Scopus citations

    Abstract

    Neonatal polycythemia, a venous hematocrit >65%, occurs in 1% to 5% of the total newborn population. Polycythemia can result from an excess production of red blood cells (active form) or from an increase in fetal blood volume (passive form). Clinical manifestations of polycythemia are caused by an increase in whole blood viscosity with a subsequent decrease in blood flow to organ systems. However, little information exists in the nursing literature concerning neonatal polycythemia. This article addresses the two categories of polycythemia and their etiologies; the involved pathophysiology; clinical manifestations of affected organ systems; supportive and specific therapies that can be used to treat polycythemic infants; the prognosis for polycythemic infants; and the difficulty healthcare providers face in deciding whether to treat this disorder. In addition, a case of a symptomatic infant who was treated with a partial exchange transfusion is presented.

    Original languageEnglish (US)
    Pages (from-to)234-239
    Number of pages6
    JournalMCN The American Journal of Maternal/Child Nursing
    Volume28
    Issue number4
    DOIs
    StatePublished - Aug 2003

    Keywords

    • Hematocrit
    • Hyperviscosity
    • Neonatal
    • Newborn
    • Polycythemia

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Pharmacology (nursing)
    • Maternity and Midwifery

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