Have you ever noticed that your little one's skin is a little pale? Or does he or she get a little pale after drinking some milk? As a mother of a newborn, it's normal to feel a little scared when you see things like this. Most of the time, this is due to a condition called "anemia," which is common among babies. So don't worry, let's talk about everything in simple terms.
What is this anemia?
Simply put, anemia is when the baby's red blood cells are lower than normal. Now you're probably wondering what happens to these red blood cells.
Imagine that there are small trucks that deliver goods throughout our bodies. That's how red blood cells are. When we breathe , the oxygen that enters the lungs is carried to every cell and organ in the body by these red blood cells. So when the number of red blood cells decreases, the amount of oxygen that the body receives also decreases. That's what we call anemia, or in medical terms ``Anemia''.
What are the causes of anemia in newborn babies?
There are several reasons why a newborn baby may be anemic. Let's look at each of them one by one.
| Reason | Simple explanation |
|---|---|
| The baby's body does not produce enough red blood cells. | This is the most common cause. In the first few months after birth, the baby's body grows very rapidly. It takes a while for the red blood cells to be produced to keep up with that speed. This is a normal condition in most cases. We also call this Physiologic anemia . |
| Rapid breakdown of red blood cells in the body. | This can happen when the mother and baby's blood types are not compatible ( Rh/ABO incompatibility ). Such babies are more likely to develop jaundice ( hyperbilirubinemia ), a condition that causes the skin to turn yellow. This can also happen due to some infectious conditions or genetic diseases. |
| Excessive bleeding from the body. | This is most often seen in babies who are being treated in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU ). This can happen because blood samples have to be taken frequently to monitor the baby's condition. |
| Premature birth. | Babies born prematurely usually have a low number of red blood cells. And the lifespan of those red blood cells is also short. This is called anemia of prematurity . |
What are the signs that a baby is anemic?
Keep in mind that most babies with anemia don't show any symptoms. But sometimes you may notice things like:
- The baby's skin, especially the lips and palms, looks pale.
- Always being sleepy and lifeless.
- Loss of interest in drinking milk or feeling tired and lethargic after drinking some milk.
- Even when the baby is sleeping, you can feel the baby's breathing and heart rate increase.
Don't be afraid of these symptoms. But if you notice something like this, the best thing to do is to inform the nearest family health officer (midwife) and see a doctor.
How do doctors find this out exactly?
This is very simple. Your doctor will examine your baby and, if necessary, order a small blood test . This blood test will focus on a few main things.
| What the test looks for | What does that say? |
|---|---|
| Hemoglobin level | This refers to the protein inside red blood cells that carries oxygen. We check to see if the amount of this is low. |
| Hematocrit level | This measures what percentage of the total blood volume is made up of red blood cells. |
| Reticulocyte count | This refers to newly formed, immature red blood cells. This number can give you an idea of how quickly your baby's body is making new red blood cells. |
What are the treatments for this condition?
This is the most important thing. Not every baby with anemia needs treatment. Especially the common conditions like ``Physiologic anemia'' that we talked about earlier, will get better on their own over time.
Your doctor will decide what kind of treatment your baby needs.
- For most babies: No special treatment is needed. The important thing is to breastfeed the baby as needed and pay attention to the baby's development.
- For babies who are very low birth weight, premature, or otherwise ill: Sometimes a blood transfusion , which means giving some blood, may be necessary to quickly increase the number of red blood cells in the body.
- For other babies: The doctor may decide to give nutritional supplements or other medications, such as iron, to help the baby's body make red blood cells.
Regardless of the treatment, breastfeeding is essential to ensure that every baby receives proper nutrition, as food provides the nutrients needed to make red blood cells.
Take-Home Message
- Anemia is a very common and often normal condition among newborns, so don't be unnecessarily alarmed.
- If your baby's skin is pale and he is showing signs of choking when feeding, it's best to see a doctor.
- The only way to know for sure if you have anemia is with a simple blood test.
- Not every baby needs treatment. Your doctor will decide what treatment is needed.
- It is very important to follow medical advice exactly and breastfeed your baby well.
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