polycythemia

(poly-sigh-THEME-ee-uh) This is the condition of too many red blood cells in circulation. It is associated with several conditions in adulthood, but in children this condition is usually only diagnosed in the newborn. Polycythemia can have deleterious effects, first because the blood can be literally too thick to pass easily through the small blood vessels of the body. This in turn leads to clot formation in and blockage of the small vessels and possible stroke (tissue damage caused by lack of blood flow to the area supplied). Other complications of polycythemia include hypoglycemia, hypocalcemia, and jaundice. Most cases of neonatal polycythemia are asymptomatic, self-limited, harmless and not treated. However, if symptoms arise, treatment is partial exchange transfusion with blood of lower hematocrit.

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