Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 6, 2026

Description of a Swine Infant Model of Volume-Controlled Hemorrhagic Shock
09:09

Description of a Swine Infant Model of Volume-Controlled Hemorrhagic Shock

Published on: November 3, 2023

2.1K

Changes in circulating red cell volume during the first 6 weeks of life in very-low-birth-weight infants

Edward F Bell1, Claude Nahmias2, John C Sinclair3

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa.

Pediatric Research
|October 19, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Red cell volume (RCV) in very-low-birth-weight infants decreases during the first six weeks of life. This decline occurs even when red blood cell (RBC) losses from blood draws are fully replaced by transfusions.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal Physiology
  • Hematology

Background:

  • Limited understanding of red cell volume (RCV) changes in very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) infants during early life.
  • Anemia of prematurity is a common complication in VLBW infants.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the changes in circulating red cell volume (RCV) in very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) infants during the first six weeks of life.
  • To determine if red blood cell (RBC) transfusions compensate for blood loss due to phlebotomy in VLBW infants.

Main Methods:

  • RCV was measured in 35 VLBW infants using chromium-51 labeling of RBCs within the first 5 days of life.
  • RCV was re-measured at 6 weeks in 12 infants, with detailed recording of RBCs lost via phlebotomy and gained via transfusion.
  • Radioactive counting was used to measure blood waste on phlebotomy materials in six infants.

Main Results:

  • The mean RCV in the first few days of life was 39.6 ml/kg (range: 20.1-58.7 ml/kg).
  • In 11 of 12 infants, absolute RCV decreased between the initial measurement and 6 weeks of age (mean initial RCV: 37.3 ml; mean 6-week RCV: 26.6 ml).
  • Mean RBC loss from phlebotomy was 29.2 ml, while mean RBC transfusion volume was 34.5 ml.

Conclusions:

  • Circulating red cell volume (RCV) declines in very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) infants during the first six weeks of life.
  • This RCV decrease persists despite complete replacement of RBCs lost through diagnostic phlebotomy with transfusions.
  • The findings suggest complex factors contribute to the evolving anemia of prematurity beyond simple blood loss and replacement.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Mapping Infant Immunity with Minimal Input: Integrative Single-cell and Multiomic Profiling09:04

Mapping Infant Immunity with Minimal Input: Integrative Single-cell and Multiomic Profiling

Published on: April 3, 2026

122
Development of a Neonatal Piglet Acute Lung Injury Model Recreating the Early Environment of Preterm Infant Lungs08:58

Development of a Neonatal Piglet Acute Lung Injury Model Recreating the Early Environment of Preterm Infant Lungs

Published on: October 31, 2025

893

Related Concept Videos

Fetal Circulation01:14

Fetal Circulation

Fetal circulation is a unique system that facilitates the exchange of gases, nutrients, and waste products between the developing fetus and the mother. This intricate process takes place through a special organ called the placenta.
Two umbilical arteries transport blood from the fetus to the placenta. At the placenta, the blood absorbs oxygen and nutrients while simultaneously eliminating waste products. This oxygen-enriched and nutrient-rich blood then returns to the fetus through one...
5.1K
Respiratory Volumes01:15

Respiratory Volumes

Respiratory volumes are crucial metrics, meticulously measured to quantify the air exchanged in and out of the lungs during various phases of the breathing cycle. These precise measurements are vital for assessing lung function, diagnosing respiratory conditions, and monitoring overall respiratory health. Each parameter provides specific insights into the mechanics of breathing and the functional capacity of the lungs.
Tidal Volume (TV) Tidal volume (TV) is the air inhaled or exhaled in a...
3.1K
Lifecycle of Erythrocytes01:22

Lifecycle of Erythrocytes

Erythrocytes, also known as red blood cells, constantly move through blood capillaries. As a result, they damage their plasma membrane due to the continuous friction. Typically, after 100 to 120 days, erythrocytes become rigid and fragile as they wear out. As they pass through small vessels in the spleen and liver, they can get trapped and break apart into fragments.
The resident phagocytic macrophages deal with these damaged cells by engulfing them and separating their globin and heme groups....
5.7K
Development of Blood Vessels01:07

Development of Blood Vessels

The development of the vascular system in a fetus is a complex and intricate process that begins as early as 15 to 16 days post-conception. This process starts outside the embryo, specifically in the mesoderm of the yolk sac, chorion, and connecting stalk. Approximately two days later, the formation of blood vessels occurs within the embryo itself.
The initial formation of this system is facilitated by the small amount of yolk present in the ovum and yolk sac. Blood vessels originate from...
2.1K
Veins as Blood Reservoirs01:10

Veins as Blood Reservoirs

Veins, while chiefly responsible for circulating blood back to the heart, also function as storage vessels for blood. They house approximately 64 percent of the body's total blood volume, a feat made possible by their high capacitance—the inherent ability to expand and accommodate large volumes of blood, even under low pressure. The large diameter and thin walls of veins augment their distensibility, significantly more so than arteries, due to their classification as capacitance...
7.8K
Overview of Hematopoiesis01:20

Overview of Hematopoiesis

Hematopoiesis, or blood cell production, is a vital biological process that begins early in embryonic development and continues throughout life. This process generates the various types of cells found in blood, including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets from hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs).
Developmental Phases of Hematopoiesis
Initially, HSCs are formed in the embryonic yolk sac, a critical site for early blood cell production. These stem cells subsequently migrate to other...
9.9K