children s health issues
Anemia in the Newborn
Rapid breakdown of red blood cells (hemolysis)
Severe red blood cell breakdown results in anemia and high levels of bilirubin in the blood ( Jaundice in the Newborn ). Hemolytic Disease of the Newborn is a condition that may cause the newborn’s red blood cells to be destroyed rapidly by antibodies from the mother's blood. The red blood cells may also be rapidly destroyed if the newborn has a hereditary abnormality of the red blood cells. An example is hereditary spherocytosis, in which the red blood cells look like small spheres when viewed under a microscope. Another example occurs in infants who lack a red blood cell enzyme called glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase ( Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase (G6PD) Deficiency ). In these infants, exposure of the mother and fetus to certain drugs used during pregnancy (such as aniline dyes, sulfa drugs, and many others) may result in rapid breakdown of red blood cells. Hemolysis may also occur with hemoglobinopathies. Hemoglobinopathies are genetic disorders that affect the structure or production of hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is a protein inside red blood cells that enables the cells to carry oxygen from the lungs and deliver it to all parts of the body. Thalassemias is an example of a hemoglobinopathy that can rarely cause problems in newborns. Infections acquired before birth, such as Toxoplasmosis , 