children s health issues
Anemia in the Newborn
Blood loss
Blood loss is another cause of anemia. Blood loss in a newborn can occur in many ways. For example, blood is lost if there is a large movement of the fetus's blood across the Development of the Fetus and Placenta (the organ that connects the fetus to the uterus and provides nourishment to the fetus) and into the mother's blood circulation (called fetal-maternal transfusion). Blood can also be lost if too much blood gets trapped in the placenta at delivery, which can happen when the newborn is held above the mother’s abdomen for too long before the umbilical cord is clamped. Twin-to-twin transfusions, in which blood flows from one fetus to the other, can cause anemia in one twin and too much blood ( Polycythemia in the Newborn ) in the other twin. The placenta may separate from the uterus before delivery ( Placental Abruption ), or the placenta may be attached in the wrong place ( Blood loss may occur when certain invasive procedures are done to the fetus to detect gene and chromosome abnormalities. Invasive procedures are those that require insertion of an instrument into the mother's body. These procedures include Amniocentesis , Sometimes blood loss occurs when the newborn is injured during delivery. For example, rupture of the liver or spleen during delivery may cause internal bleeding. Rarely, bleeding can occur under the newborn's scalp when a Operative Vaginal Delivery is used during delivery. Blood loss can also occur in newborns who have a Vitamin K Deficiency . Vitamin K is a substance that helps the body form blood clots and helps control bleeding. Vitamin K deficiency can cause hemorrhagic disease of the newborn, which is characterized by a tendency to bleed. Newborns normally have low levels of vitamin K at birth. To prevent bleeding, newborns are routinely given an injection of vitamin K at birth. Internal bleeding that leads to anemia can occur in babies who are born with a severe, inherited bleeding disorder such as Hemophilia , especially with a difficult delivery. Frequently drawing a sick newborn's blood may also contribute to anemia. 