Peds

Physiologic Anemia of Infancy

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Physiologic Anemia of Infancy

  • See Also
  1. Pediatric Anemia
  • Definition
  1. Normal Hemoglobin decrease in young infants
  • Physiology
  1. Hemoglobin drops to low point at age 6 to 8 weeks
  2. Erythropoietin nadir drops Hemoglobin
    1. Term Infants: Hemoglobin drops to 9-11 g/dl
    2. Preterm Infants: Hemoglobin drops to 7-9 g/dl
  • Differential Diagnosis
  1. See Normocytic Anemia
  2. Human Parvovirus B19 (Fifth Disease)
  3. Hemolytic Anemia (e.g. G6PD Deficiency)
  • Management
  1. No work-up or treatment unless Hemoglobin lower than expected
  • References
  1. Oblender in Daechner (1991) Pediatrics, p. 283
  2. Irwin (2001) Am Fam Physician 64(8):1379-86 [PubMed]