Anemia and Polycythemia in the Neonate Course Overview

Anemia and polycythemia are two of the most common hematologic disorders in neonatal critical care. Both conditions can have serious consequences in the neonate and require careful monitoring and management to achieve the best outcome. This course reviews fetal and neonatal blood cell formation and examines the causes, clinical presentations, diagnosis, management and complications of anemia and polycythemia.

Upon course completion, learners should be able to discuss appropriate management of the neonate who could be or who is experiencing anemia and/or polycythemia according to evidence-based guidelines.

Objectives

• Describe the process of hematopoiesis in the fetus and newborn
• Outline the etiology of neonatal anemia and polycythemia
• Summarize the clinical presentation for anemia and polycythemia
• Discuss diagnostic evaluation and management of the neonate with anemia or polycythemia
• Describe the complications of anemia and polycythemia