One of the most frequent procedures a premature infant will have to undergo is the drawing of his blood. Although it might make his parents squeamish, the tests are vital for a number of reasons. For instance, a blood test can determine the percentage of red cells in a child's blood (hematocrit), indicating whether or not he suffers from anemia. Since the condition prevents an infant from getting the oxygen and carbon dioxide he needs, it is imperative that babies, especially those born prematurely, are tested for anemia.
Infants born at full term have had sufficient time to build up stores of iron, which is essential for the growing of red blood cells; babies born prematurely are robbed of the opportunity. Therefore, they often develop anemia. The condition occurs when the percentage of red cells in the blood drops below 40. This can happen for a variety of reasons: blood loss, poor red blood cell production, and certain illnesses. Blood loss, a common cause of anemia, can occur because of intrauterine infections, a difficult delivery, or the removal of blood without replacement blood being given. Blood cell destruction may happen when the mother and the baby have differing blood types. Anemia is also common in twins; because they share a placenta, there may be an unequal distribution of the blood supply.
Many babies, even those born at full term, experience physiological anemia around six to seven weeks after birth. By this time, most of the red blood cells have been broken down, but the bone marrow has not began to produce enough red cells to accommodate the baby's needs. The result: anemia sets in, stimulating the production of the needed cells. A child's hematocrit can drop to 20% before his body begins making the new cells. According to Helen Harrison's The Premature Baby Book , premature babies often experience an exaggerated form of physiological anemia, because their bodies develop proportionately faster than a full-term baby's, and the production of red blood cells is not swift enough to match the child's growth.
To combat anemia, a pediatrician may prescribe iron supplements, probably in the form of drops. The writers of What to Expect the First Year also suggest the following:
-If your baby is bottlefed, use an iron-fortified formula.
-If your baby is breastfed, use an iron supplement.
-When your baby begins eating solids, include iron-rich foods.
-Avoid feeding your baby bran as it can interfere with iron absorption.
