Anemia of prematurity natural history, complications and prognosis

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Asra Firdous, M.B.B.S.[2]

Overview

Anemia of prematurity can be asymptomatic or produce abnormal clinical signs and symptoms depending on the hemoglobin levels. Mild symptoms usually resolve spontaneously without treatment. Severe symptoms require treatment with blood transfusion and erythropoietin. Untreated anemia of prematurity can lead to poor growth, apnea, and cardiovascular instability. The prognosis of anemia of prematurity is good with prompt diagnosis and early treatment.

In preterm infants, anemia gets worsened due to other illness related to prematurity and blood loss during phlebotomy^[1]
Premature infants develop abnormal clinical signs and symptoms depending on the hemoglobin levels^[2]
Some infants can be asymptomatic or develop mild symptoms that require little or no therapy
Others develop severe signs and symptoms that require treatment with blood transfusion and erythropoietin
If left untreated, anemia of prematurity leads to cardiovascular instability

The prognosis of anemia of prematurity is good with prompt diagnosis and early treatment^[5]
Milder cases usually resolve spontaneously with age
Without adequate treatment, anemia of prematurity will result in serious complications