Does your newborn have anemia? (Anemia in Newborns) Let's talk about this!

Does your little one look a little pale? Does he seem very lethargic when feeding, does he get tired quickly? Or does he seem to be breathing a little fast? If you notice these things, your baby may have a condition called 'anemia of the newborn'. Don't worry , we'll talk about this in detail, very simply. I'll explain everything in a way that you can understand.

What is anemia in newborn babies?

Simply put, anemia is when the number of red blood cells in a baby's body is lower than normal. These red blood cells are a very important type of cell. They work like little trucks that carry oxygen throughout our bodies. So, when these red blood cells, which are the trucks that carry oxygen, are reduced, the other cells, tissues, and organs in the body do not get the right amount of oxygen. This can especially affect young babies. Because they are growing very quickly and everything in their bodies is forming new. Therefore, oxygen is essential for them.

What causes anemia in babies?

There is not just one reason why a newborn baby may develop anemia, there can be several reasons. Let's take a look at them one by one, so you can have a better understanding of this.

1. The baby's body is not producing enough red blood cells.

Many babies develop a mild anemia, or low blood count, in the first few months of their lives. In medical terms, this is called 'physiologic anemia' . There is nothing to worry about, this is normal in most cases. Think of it like a baby's body is like a small plant that grows very quickly. It takes a while for the baby's body to produce the nutrients that the plant needs, namely red blood cells, at that speed. This is like when some of the furniture is a little late in arriving at a new house. This is usually something that resolves itself by the time the baby is two to three months old. This does not require special treatment.

2. Red blood cells breaking down faster than normal inside the body

This is another major cause of anemia in babies. What happens here is that the body produces red blood cells, but they quickly break down and are destroyed before they can be used normally.

• Blood type incompatibility between mother and baby: This is the main reason for this. This problem can arise especially in cases where the mother's blood type is Rh negative and the baby's blood type is Rh positive, or if there are incompatibilities between ABO blood types (e.g. mother is O, baby is A or B). We call this 'Rh/ABO incompatibility' . When this happens, some antibodies produced in the mother's body start destroying the baby's red blood cells. Such babies usually develop a condition called jaundice . Then the baby's skin and the whites of the eyes turn yellow. This is because 'bilirubin' is released when red blood cells break down.The accumulation of a yellow substance in the body.
• Infections and genetic diseases: Rarely, red blood cells can break down rapidly in this way due to certain bacterial or viral infections, or due to certain genetic disorders that are passed down through generations. For example, conditions like thalassemia.

3. Blood Loss

Sometimes anemia can also occur due to blood loss from the baby's body.

• Blood sampling in the NICU: Especially if the baby is in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) , which means the baby needs special medical care, the doctors have to take blood samples frequently to monitor the baby's condition. This is a bit of a pain. But these blood samples are essential for the doctors to save the baby and treat it properly. However, if you keep taking small amounts of blood, the baby can become anemic until it is reabsorbed into the body.
• Other bleeding: Also, sometimes this condition can occur due to bleeding inside the baby's body, that is, internal bleeding , or due to a problem with the blood exchange between the mother and the baby while the baby is in the womb (e.g., a problem with the placenta).

4. Premature birth

Premature babies are also more likely to develop anemia. There are several reasons for this.

• They usually have a slightly lower number of red blood cells at birth.
• Also, the lifespan of these red blood cells is shorter than that of a full-term baby. This means they break down quickly.
• Also, the bone marrow of premature babies is not fully mature, so the rate of red blood cell production is also slow.

We call this 'Anemia of Prematurity' .

What are the symptoms of a baby with anemia?

Most babies with mild anemia don't show any major symptoms. But if the anemia is more severe, watch your baby's urine for any of these signs:

• Pale skin: This is the main symptom. The baby's face, lips, tongue, palms, soles of the feet, and especially the inside of the eyes (try looking inside the eye) will turn a pale color instead of pink.
• Sluggishness: The baby is often sleepy, has no interest in playing or moving his limbs, and may be very lethargic.
• Decreased milk intake or fatigue when breastfeeding: If your baby is vomiting after drinking a little milk, or is fussing or sweating while breastfeeding, this could also be a sign of anemia. This is because the body is getting tired quickly because it is not getting enough oxygen.
• Fast heart rate and rapid breathing even when at rest: If your baby is breathing and breathing rapidly even when they are calm and sleeping, you should also be concerned. When the body is lacking oxygen, the heart and lungs have to work harder to deliver it throughout the body.

Remember, just because your baby has these symptoms doesn't mean they have anemia. But if you see something like this, it's best to see a doctor right away.

How do doctors diagnose this? (Diagnosis)

The only way to know for sure if your baby has anemia is to do a blood test . The doctor or midwife will examine the baby and, if they suspect anemia, they will say, "Hmm.. let's take some blood, shall we?" Don't worry, it won't cause any major pain to the baby, it's just a small test.

These blood tests usually look for things like:

• Hemoglobin level: Hemoglobin is the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. This is checked to see if the level is lower than normal.
• Hematocrit value: This indicates what percentage of the baby's total blood volume is made up of red blood cells. If this is too low, it could indicate anemia.
• Reticulocyte count: Reticulocytes are young, newly formed red blood cells that have not yet fully matured. Their number can give an idea of ​​how many new red blood cells the body is making and whether the bone marrow is functioning properly.

The doctor will look at all of these test results, the baby's symptoms, and other details to determine exactly whether your baby has anemia, if so, what the degree of it is, and what the possible cause might be.

What are the treatments for anemia in babies? (Treatment)

Now you're probably thinking, "What if this happens to my baby?" Don't worry. Most of the time, babies with mild anemia don't need special treatment. Conditions like the previously mentioned 'physiologic anemia' will heal on their own in a few days. The doctor will monitor the baby and, if necessary, do another blood test.

However, if the anemia is severe, or if the baby is having difficulty with it, treatment may be necessary.

• Blood Transfusion: For very premature babies , for babies who are very sick , or for babies who have difficulty breathing due to anemia, a blood transfusion may sometimes be necessary. This involves injecting red blood cells from a healthy person into the baby's body. This can quickly increase the number of red blood cells in the body.
• Medicines:Some babies may also be given medications that help their bodies make red blood cells. For example, iron supplements may be given. Iron is an essential nutrient for making hemoglobin. Also, hormones such as erythropoietin may be given as injections. This hormone stimulates the bone marrow to increase the production of red blood cells.
• Nutrition: However, special attention is paid to the nutrition of every baby with anemia. Because, only if the baby is properly nourished can the body produce the red blood cells it needs. If breastfeeding, it is also very important for the mother to eat iron-rich, nutritious foods (like spinach, meat, fish, peas, lentils). Because the baby also gets nutrition from the mother's food.

Only your doctor can decide what treatment is best for your baby, so follow their instructions exactly.

The most important things we need to remember (Take-Home Message)

Okay, so from all that we've talked about anemia in newborns, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. These are the take-home messages:

• If your baby is pale, reluctant to breastfeed, appears tired frequently, or has changes in breathing (such as rapid breathing or gasping), don't take it lightly. See a doctor immediately. These could be signs of anemia.
• Not all anemias require treatment. Some conditions (especially Physiologic Anemia) resolve on their own. So don't be alarmed if a doctor says, "The baby is a little anemic, but there's nothing to worry about."
• Babies born prematurely are more likely to develop anemia. Doctors pay special attention to this. Be aware of this too.
• Rh/ABO incompatibility is a major cause of anemia and jaundice. Doctors pay attention to this during pregnancy.
• Proper nutrition is very important to prevent and treat anemia. Breastfeeding mothers should also be careful about what they eat.
• Never be afraid or do what you think, just listen to what others say. Follow the doctor's instructions exactly. They are the ones who know what is best for your baby.

The most important thing is to keep an eye on your baby. If you notice any changes in your baby's behavior or appearance, seek medical advice immediately. Then your little one will grow up healthy, happy, and beautiful!

` Anemia, newborns, anemia in babies, red blood cells, hemoglobin, jaundice, premature birth