Hyperviscosity - newborn

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Blood cells

Overview

Symptoms

Treatment

Prevention

Hyperviscosity - newborn

Definition:

Hyperviscosity is when blood flow is slowed and blocked because there are too many red blood cells in an infant's blood.

Alternative Names:

Neonatal polycythemia

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Hyperviscosity results when the hematocrit is over 65 -- that is, the percentage of red blood cells (RBCs) in the infant's blood is greater than 65%. This may result from various conditions that develop before birth, such as hypoxia, inherited diseases, and birth defects.

The excess RBCs blocks the flow of blood in the smallest capillaries. This leads to tissue death from lack of oxygen. This blocked blood flow can affect all organs, such as the kidneys, lungs, and brain.

Infants with hyperviscosity may develop feeding problems, cyanosis, low blood sugar, jaundice, and more serious problems.

Review Date: 11/10/2004
Reviewed By: John Goldenring, M.D., M.P.H., Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital, San Diego, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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