Anemia of prematurity: a narrative review

Anemia of prematurity is a condition that is prevalent in neonatal intensive care units, especially among extremely low birth weight infants. Despite extensive practice and research, several preventive and therapeutic strategies remain controversial, giving rise to significant differences among cent...

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Main Authors: Sónia Andrade Santos, Gustavo Rocha, Henrique Soares
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Publicaciones Permanyer 2025-01-01
Series:Portuguese Journal of Pediatrics
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Online Access:https://pjp.spp.pt/frame_eng.php?id=125
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author Sónia Andrade Santos
Gustavo Rocha
Henrique Soares
author_facet Sónia Andrade Santos
Gustavo Rocha
Henrique Soares
author_sort Sónia Andrade Santos
collection DOAJ
description Anemia of prematurity is a condition that is prevalent in neonatal intensive care units, especially among extremely low birth weight infants. Despite extensive practice and research, several preventive and therapeutic strategies remain controversial, giving rise to significant differences among centers. Preventive strategies include delayed cord clamping, umbilical cord milking, autologous and allogeneic cord blood transfusion, and reducing iatrogenic blood loss through innovative methods like microsample devices. The effectiveness of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents in reducing transfusions remains limited. Red blood cell transfusions, while beneficial, carry risks. Defining transfusion thresholds based on hemoglobin levels remains a challenge, with practices varying globally. Recent trials advocate for a restrictive transfusion approach, reducing the number of transfusions with no significant adverse effects. Near Infrared Spectroscopy evaluates tissue oxygenation, potentially aiding transfusion decisions based on individualized physiological markers of anemia. This review provides a summary of the latest literature on anemia of prematurity, emphasizing aspects related to pathophysiology, preventive measures, and therapeutic interventions to assist clinicians in managing this condition.
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spelling doaj-art-9aec5e38e36a44deb0ce1b9b0757b5eb2025-08-20T02:58:21ZengPublicaciones PermanyerPortuguese Journal of Pediatrics2184-44532025-01-0156110.24875/PJP.24000006Anemia of prematurity: a narrative reviewSónia Andrade Santos0Gustavo Rocha1Henrique Soares2Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Neonatology Department, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de São João, Porto; Pediatric Department, Centro Hospitalar Tondela-Viseu, Viseu; PortugalNeonatal Intensive Care Unit, Neonatology Department, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de São João, Porto, PortugalNeonatal Intensive Care Unit, Neonatology Department, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de São João, Porto; Department of Gynecology-Obstetrics and Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine of Porto University, Porto. PortugalAnemia of prematurity is a condition that is prevalent in neonatal intensive care units, especially among extremely low birth weight infants. Despite extensive practice and research, several preventive and therapeutic strategies remain controversial, giving rise to significant differences among centers. Preventive strategies include delayed cord clamping, umbilical cord milking, autologous and allogeneic cord blood transfusion, and reducing iatrogenic blood loss through innovative methods like microsample devices. The effectiveness of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents in reducing transfusions remains limited. Red blood cell transfusions, while beneficial, carry risks. Defining transfusion thresholds based on hemoglobin levels remains a challenge, with practices varying globally. Recent trials advocate for a restrictive transfusion approach, reducing the number of transfusions with no significant adverse effects. Near Infrared Spectroscopy evaluates tissue oxygenation, potentially aiding transfusion decisions based on individualized physiological markers of anemia. This review provides a summary of the latest literature on anemia of prematurity, emphasizing aspects related to pathophysiology, preventive measures, and therapeutic interventions to assist clinicians in managing this condition. https://pjp.spp.pt/frame_eng.php?id=125Anemia. Hemoglobin. Preterm infants. Red blood cell transfusion.
spellingShingle Sónia Andrade Santos
Gustavo Rocha
Henrique Soares
Anemia of prematurity: a narrative review
Portuguese Journal of Pediatrics
Anemia. Hemoglobin. Preterm infants. Red blood cell transfusion.
title Anemia of prematurity: a narrative review
title_full Anemia of prematurity: a narrative review
title_fullStr Anemia of prematurity: a narrative review
title_full_unstemmed Anemia of prematurity: a narrative review
title_short Anemia of prematurity: a narrative review
title_sort anemia of prematurity a narrative review
topic Anemia. Hemoglobin. Preterm infants. Red blood cell transfusion.
url https://pjp.spp.pt/frame_eng.php?id=125
work_keys_str_mv AT soniaandradesantos anemiaofprematurityanarrativereview
AT gustavorocha anemiaofprematurityanarrativereview
AT henriquesoares anemiaofprematurityanarrativereview