Increased hemoglobin in a newborn: causes, norms and deviations, possible consequences

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

A blood test in a newborn is given in order to exclude pathology. Elevated hemoglobin in a newborn child introduces the mother into a state of anxiety. This condition is the norm for a small person. Why the baby's hemoglobin changes and whether this is the norm will be discussed in this article.

What is hemoglobin?

Hemoglobin is a blood pigment that depends on breathing. It is involved in the transport of oxygen into the cell and the removal of carbon dioxide. Hemoglobin is part of the erythrocyte. It consists of two parts: a globin protein and a heme containing ferrous iron.

If the hemoglobin in a newborn is increased or decreased, then the body experiences a deficiency or excess of oxygen. Children under one year of age have specific hemoglobin, compared with adults. A newborn's hemoglobin may be high and this is considered normal.

Change in hemoglobin is not an independent disease, but occursdue to physiological or pathological reasons.

The level of hemoglobin in a newborn

After testing a day old baby, parents learn that hemoglobin is elevated in the blood of a newborn. This indicator varies depending on the presence of the disease, the quality of nutrition, the term of the baby and changes with age.

The hemoglobin value of a newborn baby is 170–220 g/l, which is much higher than that of an adult. After some time, the indicator begins to decline.

By a month, the norm decreases to 107-171 g/l. By six months, the maximum rate should be 165 g/l

Age-age averages are a guideline for physicians and should not be used by parents to self-prescribe treatment.

If hemoglobin does not decrease in a month-old baby or continues to grow, then additional research is required to rule out the disease.

Children under 16 have higher hemoglobin levels than adults. At 16–18 years old, 120–160 g / l is considered a normal indicator. Women have lower hemoglobin than men.

Symptoms of high hemoglobin

High hemoglobin in a newborn should not bother the mother for the first 3 months if the numbers are within the recommended range for this age. If the iron is very high, then this may be the result of a serious illness.

Parents need to know the main symptoms of high hemoglobin:

• drowsy;
• fatigue;
• pale skin, in placescharacteristic redness appears;
• sluggishness;
• capriciousness.

Symptoms are not specific, it is impossible to determine from them that the hemoglobin in the blood of a newborn baby is increased. But such behavior should alert the mother and become a reason for additional contact with the pediatrician for advice.

The doctor will send for a clinical blood test, which will show whether the change in hemoglobin is the cause of this condition of the child. The analysis will identify or rule out other violations.

Causes of high hemoglobin

Hemoglobin in a newborn is increased and may not decrease over time for several reasons:

1. A newborn living in the mountains. Due to oxygen deficiency, the increase in performance is a compensation for an unusual lifestyle for a person.
2. The birth of a child in a gassed city or metropolis. If a newborn lives in a city with an unfavorable ecological situation, then he experiences an oxygen deficiency. The body, increasing hemoglobin, compensates for the lack of oxygen.
3. In a smoking mother, the newborn's hemoglobin is increased. The reason is that the fetus's defenses work and the production of red blood cells increases.
4. Dehydration due to lack of fluid in the newborn. When breastfeeding, this may indirectly indicate a lack of milk.

Thick blood concentration can be provoked:

• congenital diseases;
• oncology;
• intestinal obstruction;
• blood disease;
• allergic;
• pulmonary fibrosis;
• kidney disease;
• severe burns.

If the hemoglobin in the blood of a newborn child is increased due to illness, then he needs adequate treatment, otherwise it may adversely affect the further well-being of the baby.

How to lower high hemoglobin?

If the hemoglobin in the blood of a newborn is increased, then it is impossible to reduce it with medicines. The drugs have side effects and a number of contraindications. A mother who is breastfeeding should follow a diet with a reduced amount of iron.

Do not abuse buckwheat, red fruits and red berries. You should reduce the amount of meat, liver and eggs in the diet. Sweet foods increase the absorption of iron, so they should also be avoided.

Mom's diet should be enriched with fiber to prevent constipation. But the fish can be increased, because it contains little iron.

Even a breastfed baby should be given water to thin the blood.

Insufficient humidity in the room where the child is located increases sweating and provokes dehydration. To avoid this, you should install a humidifier or hang the battery with wet towels, put water containers in the room.

Low hemoglobin

Most often a newborn's hemoglobin is elevated, low levels are rare. Parents need to know basicsymptoms of low hemoglobin in infants:

• dehydration;
• pallor of the skin;
• drowsy;
• fatigue;
• no stool for a long time;
• skin becomes dry and flaky;
• nails become brittle;
• the surface of the tongue becomes smooth and shiny;
• decreased immunity;
• loss of appetite;
• shortness of breath;
• prolonged crying due to headaches.

The reasons for the decrease in the number of red blood cells are as follows:

• maternal severe anemia during pregnancy;
• blood loss during childbearing;
• difficult pregnancy with circulatory disorders of the placenta;
• hereditary intestinal disease;
• rapid baby growth after birth (hemoglobin drops by 3 months in this case);
• malnutrition of the newborn, artificial feeding with non-adapted milk mixtures;
• multiple pregnancy;
• low iron content in the diet of a nursing mother;
• prematurity;
• prolonged toxicosis during pregnancy;
• genetic diseases;
• congenital malformations.

Low hemoglobin prevents tissues from getting enough oxygen. This can lead to physical and mental retardation. Daily outdoor walks increase hemoglobin production.

How to increase hemoglobin?

With anemia, lactatingmother should know how to increase hemoglobin in a newborn baby. To do this, you should reconsider your diet. It must contain:

• fish, red meat;
• beef tongue and liver;
• offal;
• bird;
• vegetables, fruits and berries;
• buckwheat, legumes.

In the absence of allergies in a child, a nursing mother can drink pomegranate juice, eat red caviar, eggs, walnuts and hematogen.

Formula-fed babies should be given iron-fortified formula milk. Do not feed cow or goat milk to children.

With severe anemia, the pediatrician prescribes iron supplements, which should be given to the baby strictly according to the instructions.

Anemia of the newborn

Anemia of the newborn occurs when the production of red blood cells decreases. The disease is of the following types:

• anemia of premature babies;
• iron deficient;
• hemolytic occurs due to the Rhesus conflict of mother and child;
• alimentary (after 5 months);
• post-infection;
• autoimmune is characterized by the appearance of irregularly shaped red blood cells, which leads to oxygen starvation;
• Yaksha-Gayem anemia leads to severe condition;
• hemoblastosis;
• hemoplastic anemia is manifested by a violation of the synthesis of red blood cells.

Mild, moderate and severe anemia are determined by severity. The final diagnosis will be made by a pediatrician or neonatologist. When determining severity, the patient's age, the course of pregnancy and other factors are taken into account.