Doctor reviews: Polycythemia in Newborns
Are you confused about polycythemia in newborns? This complete guide breaks down everything you need to know in a simple, clinical way.
In this video, a neonatology expert explains:
- What is neonatal polycythemia
- Why does high hematocrit increase blood viscosity
- Common causes like placental insufficiency, delayed cord clamping, and twin-to-twin transfusion
- Signs & symptoms (cardiorespiratory, GI & neurological)
- Important complications like hypoglycemia, jaundice & thrombocytopenia
- Best diagnostic approach (capillary vs venous sample)
- Updated management guidelines (hydration vs partial exchange transfusion)
💡 Most babies are asymptomatic—but missing this condition can lead to serious complications like poor oxygen delivery or even stroke risk.
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Dr. Tala is a board-certified neonatologist and has worked in busy level III and IV units for the past 18 years. She has won multiple teaching awards throughout her time as a neonatologist.
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References:
Reference Ranges for Hematocrit and Blood Hemoglobin Concentration During the Neonatal Period: Data From a Multihospital Health Care System - Scientific Figure on ResearchGate. Available from: https://www.rese archgate.net/figu re/The-reference- ranges-are-shown -for-hematocrit-A -N-25-464-patient s-and-blood_fig1 _23950723
By OpenStax College - Anatomy & Physiology, Connexions Web site. http://cnx.org/cont ent/col11496/1.6/, Jun 19, 2013., CC BY 3.0, https://commons.w ikimedia.org/w/ind ex.php?curid=3014 8163
Katheria, Anup & Lakshminrusi mha, Satyan & Rabe, Heike & McAdams, R & Mercer, Judith. (2016). Placental transfusion: a review. Journal of perinatology : official journal of the California Perinatal Association. 37. 10.1038/jp.20 16.151.
Hopewell B, Steiner LA, Ehrenkranz RA, Bizzarro MJ, Gallagher PG. Partial exchange transfusion for polycythemia hyperviscosity syndrome. Am J Perinatol. 2011 Aug;28(7):557-6 4. doi: 10.1055/s-0031- 1274504. Epub 2011 Mar 1. PMID: 21365533.
By FetalTherapyLUMC at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=32927704
Cho YI, Cho DJ. Hemorheolog y and Microvascular Disorders. Korean Circ J. 2011 Jun;41(6):287 -295. https://d oi.org/10.407 0/kcj.2011.41. 6.287
Michael S. Schimmel, Ruben Bromiker, Roger F. Soll, Neonatal polycythemia: is partial exchange transfusion justified?, Clinics in Perinatology, Volume 31, Issue 3, 2004, Pages 545-553, ISSN 0095-5108,
O’Brien, Brigid & Middleton, Brittany & Cua, Erica & Resnick, Alex & Ho, Cynthia. (2017). Case 3: Jaundice, Pallor, and Failure to Thrive in a 7-week-old Infant. Pediatrics in Review. 38. 235-235. 10.1542/pir.2015-01 79.
van Oldenmark BO, Rondagh M, Adama van Scheltema P, Slaghekke F, van der Meeren LE, Spruijt MS, Lopriore E, de Vries LS, Steggerda SJ. Perinatal Arterial Ischemic Stroke in Monochorionic Twins: A Retrospective Observational Single-Center Cohort Study. Stroke. 2025 Nov;56(11):3153-3164. doi: 10.1161/STROKEAHA.125.05 1702. Epub 2025 Sep 10. PMID: 40927822; PMCID: PMC12551421.
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***TIMESTAMPS***
00:00 Introduction to Polycythemia
01:14 What is Neonatal Polycythemia?
03:43 Conditions associated with polycythemia
08:18 Clinical signs and symptoms
16:46 Diagnosis
18:43 Management
25:10 Final Takeaways
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*Disclaimer*: This video is intended for educational purposes only and while we strive to give the most accurate information, errors may occur. Subsequently, this video should not be a replacement for medical advice.