anemia of prematurity...anybody?

Supposedly anemia is common with all newborns until they make the switch to producing "adult" hemoglobin, but anemia tends to be more pronounced in preemies, I guess. Anyway, one DD has acceptable hemoglobin levels, but the pedi was uncomfortable wiht my other DDs levels...they were a little low. So, the pedi sent her to a hematologist last week. She is now getting injections of EPO every other day until her levels reach "10," which is acceptable. I worry about her...she still seems to be eating fine, but she does sleep a little more than her sister so I'm wondering if that's because of the anemia. AFter her first shot of EPO her levels went up one whole point, but after the second her levels went back down a little bit. I'm not sure if her levels are supposed to consistently climb while on the EPO or if it's typical for her levels to climb and then fall a bit? Has anybody else been through this?? If so, I'm just wondering about your experience with anemia, EPO, etc.

TIA for your help!

 

Supposedly anemia is common with all newborns until they make the switch to producing "adult" hemoglobin, but anemia tends to be more pronounced in preemies, I guess. Anyway, one DD has acceptable hemoglobin levels, but the pedi was uncomfortable wiht my other DDs levels...they were a little low. So, the pedi sent her to a hematologist last week. She is now getting injections of EPO every other day until her levels reach "10," which is acceptable. I worry about her...she still seems to be eating fine, but she does sleep a little more than her sister so I'm wondering if that's because of the anemia. AFter her first shot of EPO her levels went up one whole point, but after the second her levels went back down a little bit. I'm not sure if her levels are supposed to consistently climb while on the EPO or if it's typical for her levels to climb and then fall a bit? Has anybody else been through this?? If so, I'm just wondering about your experience with anemia, EPO, etc.

TIA for your help!

 

My twins, especially DD, had problems with anemia while in the NICU. She had 3 blood transfusions. Once they were released from the NICU they were kept on iron. They took this until around 4 months and have no problems with it since then. Yes, it is more common in preemies.

 

My daughters were born at 30 weeks. Alivea had 2 blood transfusions and Kaytlin had one before they came home at 8 weeks old. They were both pale and very tired before their transfusions. They didnt put them on iron though but we havent had a problem since. Good luck, and I hope they get it figured out!

 

My twins were born at 32 weeks and my son had a blood transfusion due to low iron levels while in the NICU. When they came home they were both getting Polyvisol with Iron drops until 4 months. I haven't noticed any issues since then, but they also were drinking Isomil formula which is fortified with iron and they eat cereal every morning which also has lots of iron.

Mona

 

My ds who was a 27 weeker had 3 blood transfusions and one platelet transfusion. The majority of preemies I know have had to have them. Unfortunatly his count was too low to just do the EPO shots.

 

Both babies had 1 transfusion before discharge, they became pink and more active. They both take Poly-vi-sol and the formula & cereal is iron fortified. If they follow in their older siblings footsteps, they'll be anemic for life because of the minor thalessemia(sp) trait from dad.

 

Mine came home on Trivisol and iron. The ped said they would be on it until a year of age. One of mine was real pale, but she has since gained some color.

 

we talked about EPO for Ethan but we didn't go with it. The amt of EPO needed to be effective compared to an adult was huge and it caused problems with BP, which we couldn't afford to mess with after his illness. He went on Rx doses of ferrous sulfate and his levels slowly came back up. Wish I had more info for you and I hope you see good improvement soon

 

both of mine had anemaia. caden had to have a tranfusion and that shortl y after caleb followed. the were sent home on iron as well as everybody elese. im not sure about the rising that dropping back down. but yes if your anemiac(sp) u will sleep more. i am strugling with anemia still to this day and im on iron which doesnt seem to be helping. but alls my body wants to do allllll day is sleep.good luck