Thick blood in a newborn is observed when a high content of erythrocytes is noted in the analysis. These are red blood cells that carry hemoglobin to organs and tissues, and also remove respiratory products. This condition of the baby is observed for various reasons. Treatment for polycythemia is simple, just give your baby fluids to dilute the blood.
Newborn in a blue hat
Causes of thick blood in a newborn
Why does a newborn have thick blood, and what does this mean? If such a diagnosis is made in the hospital, you should not immediately panic. Perhaps the condition is temporary and easy to fix.
Causes of polycythemia in infants:
- postmaturity;
- diabetes mellitus in the mother;
- blood flows from one baby to another in utero in case of multiple pregnancies;
- congenital hypoxia;
- genetic diseases;
- congenital hypothyroidism;
- the baby receives too much blood while feeding from the placenta in the womb;
- hypertension during pregnancy;
- Down syndrome;
- congenital heart disease;
- kidney disease;
- restriction of growth in the womb;
- congenital dysfunction of the adrenal cortex;
- smoking and taking alcoholic beverages while carrying a baby;
- thyrotoxicosis;
- physiological jaundice of newborns;
- leukemia.
You can determine the problem using a general blood test. It determines the level of red blood cells in the blood. Newborns take blood from their fingertips immediately after birth. Therefore, you will not be able to miss polycythemia.
Important! Thick blood must be treated to prevent vascular blockage and hypoxia.
Possible accompanying symptoms
Infants with polycythemia may not have any symptoms. The diagnosis is made after the blood test results are obtained. In some cases, newborns have:
- dark skin color;
- yellowness of the skin;
- weak sucking reflex;
- weak breathing;
- tachycardia;
- disorders of the heart;
- vomiting;
- bloating;
- the presence of red blood cells and protein in the urine;
- increased blood glucose;
- hypoxia;
- loss of appetite;
- bright blush;
- rarely convulsions.
If symptoms are present, doctors at the maternity hospital provide immediate assistance to infants. Thick blood cannot penetrate into small vessels and capillaries, due to which the supply of oxygen to the brain is disrupted, as well as the circulation of fluid in the limbs and skin.
A set of procedures for determining blood density
To determine the degree of blood density in infants, blood is taken for analysis. It determines the level of erythrocytes, their sedimentation rate, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and platelets. All of these indicators are important for diagnosis. Blood sampling is carried out through a vein if concomitant tests have been prescribed. In other cases, a finger puncture is made. If it is not possible to take blood from it, then they pierce the side of the heel.
The manipulation is carried out according to certain instructions, which are strictly followed:
- Before starting the procedure, the laboratory assistant washes his hands with soap and prepares the workplace.
- Put on sterile disposable gloves.
- Lubricates the puncture area with a cotton swab.
- Clamps the finger with one hand, the other makes a puncture with a scarifier.
- He holds a fence with a glass capillary with a pear.
- With a new cotton pad moistened with an antiseptic, dabs the injection site.
- Dry cotton wool squeeze the wound.
Newborns clench their hands into fists, so drawing blood from a finger can be problematic. In this case, the thumb or the corner of the heel is pierced. The same method is used if the hospital does not have children's needles available.
Erythrocytes
The procedure for taking blood from a vein is carried out according to the same principle. The largest and most accessible veins in a newborn are located on the head. Usually all tests are taken from there. This is why a catheter is placed on the head. Also, after birth, an analysis is taken from the umbilical cord. It shows the level of bilirubin, which tells about the presence of physiological jaundice.
Important! Do not worry that the newborn is in pain. After birth, children constantly sleep, they feel little, all procedures take place in a dream.
For reinsurance, doctors prescribe additional studies that will help to recreate the overall picture of the disease:
- determine venous and peripheral hematocrit;
- examine the level of glucose and calcium in the blood;
- control the level of bilirubin;
- determine the acid-base state of the blood.
A complex of tests will help to make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe the correct treatment.
Danger of condition
A baby with thick blood is at risk of developing chronic diseases. If the manifestation of symptoms is not bright, then the condition most often goes away after several days of treatment with a dropper of saline. If you do not provide medical assistance in a timely manner, then there are some consequences. In 40% of cases, symptoms of polycythemia do not indicate disease, although it could be sepsis or heart problems. Complications and consequences:
- Oxygen starvation of the brain, the effect on mental and mental development.
- Frequent convulsive syndromes.
- Partial necrosis of tissues of internal organs.
- A stagnant state of blood in the region of the heart with a weak ejection.
- Thrombosis of the renal veins, problems with urine excretion.
- Increased insulin levels, hypoglycemic coma.
Complications arise if the mother refuses treatment. Usually, doctors immediately identify the problem and begin therapy. Serious complications occur in only 20% of cases. In the rest, children recover within a week and begin the normal life of a healthy newborn.
Newborn Heel and Blood Dice
Treatment methods
First of all, the doctor determines whether the child has thick blood. Only after this does the therapeutic manipulation begin. To form a general idea of the condition of the newborn, the doctor reviews all the tests. An increase in only one indicator does not indicate the presence of polycythemia. When the baby does not have serious manifestations, several droppers of saline are prescribed.
Sometimes an exchange transfusion is performed. It is prescribed when the saline solution does not help. For complex and severe symptoms, treatment is carried out under the strict supervision of a neonatologist, in rare cases - surgery.
Important! Changes in the fetus occur in utero, pregnant women need to take care of themselves.
Forecasts and prevention
An infant who was born with polycythemia is monitored by a pediatrician with special care in the future. Most often, the prognosis in infants after treatment is favorable. The blood flow is restored, the level of red blood cells returns to normal. For prevention, a monthly complete blood count is prescribed for up to 6 months.
Preventive measures against thick blood should be observed by every pregnant woman, since changes in the child's body occur in utero. Doctor's advice:
- It is advisable to walk along the street every day, breathe fresh air and actively move while carrying a baby.
- It is forbidden to consume alcohol or smoke during pregnancy.
- Expectant mothers need to enrich their diet with fruits and vegetables, they are rich in vitamins.
- If the mother has diabetes mellitus, do not neglect doctor visits.
- If the husband smokes, then you need to ask him not to smoke next to a pregnant woman, secondhand smoke has a negative effect on the health of the fetus.
- Do not take blood thinners during pregnancy. During childbirth, there can be large fatal blood loss.
Thick blood in a newborn occurs in 30% of cases. Most often, the symptoms are unclear, and the presence of a problem can only be determined by tests. Doctors react quickly and prescribe treatment while still in the hospital. Healthy and full-fledged babies are discharged home.
