Bnewborn baby can also experience anemia, where levels of hemoglobin (Hb) in his blood low. In fact, Hb plays an important role in carrying oxygen from the lungs to body tissues. you know. Then, what are the dangers of low Hb in newborns?
Hemoglobin is a protein in red blood cells that gives blood its red color and carries iron. Iron is what binds oxygen, and makes Hb an important component in the blood. When Hb levels are low, the body's cells cannot receive enough oxygen.
Normally, newborns have a hemoglobin (Hb) level of 13.5-10 g/dL (grams per deciliter). Normal Hb levels are the same for baby girls and baby boys.
What is the Danger of Low Hb in Newborns?
If left unchecked, anemia in newborns which is characterized by low Hb levels can cause serious complications, such as:
- Neurodevelopmental disorders
- Impaired cognitive abilities
- Cardiovascular disorders (heart and blood vessels)
- Brain damage
- Multiple organ failure
- This condition cannot be underestimated, because it can lead to death.
This Causes Low Hb in Babies
There are several factors that cause low Hb that can cause anemia in newborns, namely:
blood cells Red the one that breaks down fast
Anemia in newborns can be caused by the breakdown of red blood cells. Generally, this occurs when the baby has ABO or rhesus (Rh) incompatibility, which is an incompatibility of the baby's blood type with the mother. In addition, damage to red blood cells in infants can also occur due to: thalassemia.
Insufficient production of red blood cells
Before birth, the baby may not be able to produce enough red blood cells, which can lead to severe anemia after birth. This condition can be caused by rare genetic disorders, such as Fanconi syndrome and Diamond-Blackfan anemia.
Losing a lot of blood
A decrease in Hb can also occur because the baby loses a lot of blood, for example due to the umbilical cord being clamped too late at birth, twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS), or lack of vitamin K so that the blood is difficult to clot,
Low Hb in newborns can be detected when a pediatrician performs a blood test after delivery. If a condition like this is found, the doctor will immediately find out the cause and provide appropriate treatment.
