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Questions and Answers
Which group is at the highest risk for developing anemia due to nutritional deficiency?
What is a common cause of neonatal anemia related to blood loss during the perinatal period?
What condition is most commonly associated with a decrease in red blood cell production in neonates?
Which of the following is NOT a typical cause of excessive red blood cell hemolysis in neonates?
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What physiological process typically results in the physiologic anemia of the newborn?
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Which vitamin deficiency is most commonly associated with nutritional anemia in infancy?
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Which condition may NOT cause a decrease in RBC production in neonates?
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What is the most common cause of anemia during the neonatal period?
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What is the primary cause of anemia in young children?
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Which of the following groups is at increased risk of developing anemia during adolescence?
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What percentage of anemia cases experienced during pregnancy is due to iron deficiency anemia?
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What physiological change during pregnancy can contribute to anemia?
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Which condition is frequently associated with anemia in older adults?
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What factor increases the requirement for iron during infancy?
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Which dietary consideration is important for preventing iron deficiency anemia in young children?
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What is a potential outcome of anemia during pregnancy for both mother and fetus?
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How does aging affect the body's ability to respond to anemia?
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What demographic group has a higher prevalence of anemia among older adults?
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Study Notes
Anemia in Neonates
- Neonatal anemia can be caused by blood loss, increased red blood cell destruction, decreased red blood cell production, or other physiological processes.
- Perinatal blood loss can occur in utero from placental bleeding, cord malformations, or diagnostic procedures.
- Perinatal blood loss can also be caused by precipitous delivery resulting in umbilical cord bleeding.
- Birth trauma to the cranium can produce significant blood loss, resulting in anemia, hypoxia, shock, and death.
- Congenital defects are rare, with the most common being Fanconi anemia and Diamond-Blackfan anemia.
- Defects acquired after birth commonly include infections (rubella, syphilis, HIV, bacterial sepsis).
- Nutritional deficiencies of vitamin B12, vitamin E, folate, and iron may result in anemia during infancy but not typically at birth.
- The most common cause of impairment in red blood cell production is a genetically transmitted deficiency in G6PD.
- Physiologic anemia of the newborn is the most common cause of anemia during the neonatal period and results from the increase in oxygenation that occurs with normal breathing after birth.
Anemia in Infants and Children
- Between the ages of 4 and 6 months after birth, the body’s iron requirements markedly increase.
- Between the ages of 1 and 6 years, the amount of iron required by the body increases again, attributed to rapid growth.
- The primary etiology of anemia in young children is nutritional deficiency due to excessive intake of milk, introduction of milk before 12 months of age, and/or prolonged breastfeeding without adequate iron supplementation.
- Iron deficiency anemia in young children has been associated with deficits in mental and motor development, some of which are long lasting.
Anemia in Adolescents
- Adolescents have very high requirements for iron because of their increased metabolic needs, expansion of blood volume, and increases in muscle mass.
- Adolescent girls are also at risk for the development of anemia related to heavy menstrual bleeding.
- Both boys and girls who are underweight, malnourished, overweight, or obese appear to be at increased risk, with obese girls having a higher risk than obese boys.
- Adolescent athletes, especially those participating in endurance training or following alternative diets, are also at risk.
Anemia in Pregnant Women and Women of Reproductive Age
- Iron deficiency anemia represents 95% of all cases of anemia experienced in pregnancy.
- During pregnancy, a gain in plasma volume dilutes the red blood cells and may be reflected as anemia.
- There is also a significant increase in the amount of iron required by the body due to rapid placental and fetal growth.
- Adverse outcomes for both mother and fetus associated with anemia during pregnancy include an increased risk of maternal and perinatal mortality, preterm delivery, and low birth weight.
- In women of reproductive age, heavy menstruation, uterine fibroids, blood loss during childbirth, and vegetarian diets are risk factors for iron deficiency anemia.
Anemia in Older Adults
- The most common causes of anemia in older adults include iron deficiency, chronic disease or inflammation, and chronic kidney disease.
- The normal effects of aging, such as the decreasing ability of the bone marrow to respond to the body’s signals to increase blood cell production, can also play a role in the development of anemia.
- Medications can have a myelosuppressive effect on the bone marrow.
- The bodies of older adults who develop anemia cannot adapt as well as those of younger individuals, and older adults can display symptoms of fatigue, dyspnea, and confusion more easily.
- Anemia is more common in older African American adults than in other populations.
- Older adults with anemia have been found to have increased mortality, increased difficulty with mobility, increased hospitalizations, and a decrease in their activities of daily living.
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Description
This quiz covers the various causes of anemia in neonates, including factors like blood loss, congenital defects, and nutritional deficiencies. It explores the physiological processes that lead to anemia in newborns and discusses specific conditions such as Fanconi anemia and Diamond-Blackfan anemia. Test your knowledge on this critical topic relevant to neonatal health.
