Polycythemia in the newborn.
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2008-01-05
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Abstract
Polycythemia is defined as a venous hematocrit of over 65%. The hematocrit in a newborn peaks at 2 hours of age and decreases gradually after that. The etiology of polycythemia is related either to intra-uterine hypoxia or secondary to fetal transfusion. The relationship between hematocrit and viscosity is almost linear till 65% and exponential thereafter. Increased viscosity of blood is associated with symptoms of hypo-perfusion. Clinical features related to polycythemia-hyperviscosity syndrome may affect all organ systems and this entity should be screened for in high-risk infants. Polycythemia may or may not be symptomatic and guidelines for management of both the types based on the current evidence are provided in the protocol.
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18 references.
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Citation
Jeevasankar M, Agarwal R, Chawla D, Paul VK, Deorari AK. Polycythemia in the newborn. Indian Journal of Pediatrics. 2008 Jan; 75(1): 68-72