Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 10, 2026

Continuous Manual Exchange Transfusion for Patients with Sickle Cell Disease: An Efficient Method to Avoid Iron Overload
Published on: March 14, 2017
Management of polycythemia in neonates
M Jeeva Sankar1, Ramesh Agarwal, Ashok Deorari
1Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, India.
Abstract:
Polycythemia is defined as a venous hematocrit above 65%. The hematocrit in a newborn peaks at 2 h of age and decreases gradually after that. 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 hyperviscosity may affect all organ systems. Neonates born small for gestational age (SGA), infants of diabetic mothers (IDM), and multiple births are at risk for polycythemia. They should therefore undergo screening at 2, 12, and 24 h of age. Polycythemia may be symptomatic or asymptomatic and guidelines for the management of both types based on the current evidence are provided in the protocol.
Related Concept Videos
Disorders of Erythrocytes
Erythrocyte disorders can be broadly categorized into two main types: anemic and polycythemic conditions.
A low oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood due to the loss, lower production, or destruction of erythrocytes is termed anemia. Hemorrhagic anemia, for example, occurs when bleeding from an external wound or internal ulcer reduces erythrocyte counts.
On the other...
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Distribution
Factors Affecting Erythropoiesis
Several factors influence the erythrocyte production rate, with tissue oxygen level being among the most critical. Intense exercise or high altitudes can cause tissue hypoxia, which triggers the kidneys to release more erythropoietin (EPO) into the bloodstream.
EPO then...
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion
Erythropoiesis
Hemodialysis III: Nursing Management
