Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with GoogleGet your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
Premature Child, Fetomaternal Bleed, Low Hemoglobin. Taken Blood Transfusions. Causes For Condition?
My son was born 9 weeks early and had a fetomaternal bleed and was born with a hemoglobin of 2.2 and a hematicrit of 8 he had 3 blood transfusions and left the hospital at 35 weeks 5 days with normal levels he is now 4 months old 2 months adjusted and has a hemoglobin of 8 and is recieving only breast milk . What could cause this?
Tue, 16 Oct 2012
Hello there,
The fetomaternal bleed must have been severe enough to cause a drop in hemoglobin to 2.2 . It could have resulted from a traumatic delivery or an abruption but thankfully your baby recovered.
Since your baby was born preterm, you cant expect the baby to exhibit a blood profile similar to that of a term baby. All babies , whether term or preterm experience a drop in hemoglobin after their birth even if there are no complications. This drop in hemoglobin is seen at around 6-8 weeks of life and is known as physiologic anemia of newborn. The drop in hemoglobin is more in case of a preterm and the range is 7-9 gm/dl and in term babies it is 9-11 gm/dl/.
So dont worry. Although your baby was well transfused at the time of discharge, this is an expected phenomenon.
Take care.
The fetomaternal bleed must have been severe enough to cause a drop in hemoglobin to 2.2 . It could have resulted from a traumatic delivery or an abruption but thankfully your baby recovered.
Since your baby was born preterm, you cant expect the baby to exhibit a blood profile similar to that of a term baby. All babies , whether term or preterm experience a drop in hemoglobin after their birth even if there are no complications. This drop in hemoglobin is seen at around 6-8 weeks of life and is known as physiologic anemia of newborn. The drop in hemoglobin is more in case of a preterm and the range is 7-9 gm/dl and in term babies it is 9-11 gm/dl/.
So dont worry. Although your baby was well transfused at the time of discharge, this is an expected phenomenon.
Take care.
I find this answer helpful
Hello
As your baby is premature this low hemoglobin level may be due to Anemia of prematurity. Most of the babies recover spontaneously from this condition after 4-6 months of age without any treatment. But other possibilities must be ruled out. So I would suggest you to consult your doctor and get a CBC, peripheral smear for hemolysis, reticulocyte count,Coomb's test and serum bilirubin level done for her, to rule out the other causes for anemia.
With regards
As your baby is premature this low hemoglobin level may be due to Anemia of prematurity. Most of the babies recover spontaneously from this condition after 4-6 months of age without any treatment. But other possibilities must be ruled out. So I would suggest you to consult your doctor and get a CBC, peripheral smear for hemolysis, reticulocyte count,Coomb's test and serum bilirubin level done for her, to rule out the other causes for anemia.
With regards
I find this answer helpful
Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer.
For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service
[Sample answer]
Related questions you may be interested in
Recent questions on Hemoglobin
Loading Online Doctors....