Newborn PolycythemiaSymptoms, Doctors, Treatments, Advances & More
Learn About Newborn Polycythemia
Polycythemia means there are too many red blood cells (RBCs) in an infant's blood.
Neonatal polycythemia; Hyperviscosity - newborn
The percentage of RBCs in the infant's blood is called the "hematocrit." When this is greater than 65%, polycythemia is present.
Polycythemia can result from conditions that develop before birth. These may include:
- Delay in clamping the umbilical cord
- Diabetes in the baby's birth mother
- Inherited diseases and genetic problems
- Too little oxygen reaching body tissues (hypoxia), such as from congenital heart or vascular (blood vessel) abnormalities
- Twin-twin transfusion syndrome (occurs when blood moves from one twin to the other)
The extra RBCs can slow or block the flow of blood in the smallest blood vessels. This is called hyperviscosity. This may lead to tissue death from lack of oxygen. This blocked blood flow can affect all organs, including the kidneys, lungs, and brain.
Symptoms may include:
- Extreme sleepiness
- Feeding problems
- Seizures
The baby will be monitored for complications of hyperviscosity. Fluids may be given through the vein. A partial volume exchange transfusion is sometimes still done in some cases. However, there is little evidence that this is effective. It is most important to treat the underlying cause of the polycythemia.
Lisanne Tollenaar practices practicing medicine in Leiden, Netherlands. Ms. Tollenaar is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Newborn Polycythemia. She is also highly rated in 4 other conditions, according to our data. Her clinical expertise encompasses Newborn Polycythemia, Twin-To-Twin Transfusion Syndrome, Anemia, and Intrauterine Growth Restriction.
Sophie Groene practices practicing medicine in Leiden, Netherlands. Ms. Groene is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Newborn Polycythemia. She is also highly rated in 4 other conditions, according to our data. Her clinical expertise encompasses Newborn Polycythemia, Intrauterine Growth Restriction, Twin-To-Twin Transfusion Syndrome, and Anemia.
The Johns Hopkins Hospital
Dr. Ahmet Baschat is director of the Center for Fetal Therapy and professor in the Johns Hopkins Medicine Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics. His areas of clinical expertise include prenatal diagnosis and therapy of a wide range of fetal conditions including congenital diaphragmatic hernia, intrauterine growth restriction, twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS), as well as other complications of monochorionic twin pregnancies. Dr. Baschat received his undergraduate and medical degrees from The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. He earned his doctorate in medicine (Dr. Med) from the University of Lübeck, where he also completed a residency in obstetrics and gynecology. Dr. Baschat also completed residencies at Newton-Wellesley Hospital and at University of Maryland Medical Center. He performed a fellowship in maternal-fetal medicine at University of Maryland Medical Center and went on to develop its Center for Advanced Fetal Care. Dr. Baschat joined the Johns Hopkins faculty in 2014. Prior to joining Johns Hopkins, Dr. Baschat was professor and director of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and the Section of Fetal Therapy at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. Dr. Baschat’s research interests include interventions and management techniques for fetal growth restriction and placental insufficiency. He has also done extensive research on the use of high resolution prenatal ultrasound techniques, including Doppler and fetal echocardiography, to predict and detect fetal complications. Dr. Baschat serves on a variety of boards and is a member of the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), the International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology and the International Fetal Medicine and Surgery Society. He has been recognized with several awards and honors, including the 2010 Award for Excellence in Research by the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine. Dr. Baschat’s passion for developing an individualized care plan for each of his patients has been the hallmark of his practice. Dr. Baschat is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Newborn Polycythemia. He is also highly rated in 14 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Twin-To-Twin Transfusion Syndrome, Intrauterine Growth Restriction, Bilateral Renal Agenesis Dominant Type, Diaphragmatic Hernia, and Endoscopy. Dr. Baschat is board certified in American Board Of Obstetrics And Gynecology.
The outlook is good for infants with mild hyperviscosity. Good results are also possible in infants who receive treatment for severe hyperviscosity. The outlook will depend largely on the reason for the condition.
Some children may have mild developmental changes. Parents should contact their health care provider if they think their child shows signs of delayed development.
Complications may include:
- Death of intestinal tissue (necrotizing enterocolitis)
- Decreased fine motor control
- Kidney failure
- Seizures
- Stroke
Published Date: April 06, 2025
Published By: Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Owusu-Ansah A, Letterio J, Ahuja SP. Red blood cell disorders in the fetus and neonate. In: Martin RJ, Fanaroff AA, eds. Fanaroff and Martin's Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine. 12th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 81.
Tashi T, Prchal JT. Primary and secondary erythrocytosis. In: Fish JD, Lipton JM, Lanzkowsky P, eds. Lanzkowsky's Manual of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology. 7th ed. Cambridge, MA: Elsevier Academic Press; 2022:chap 10.
Thom CS, Lambert MP. Blood disorders. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, et al, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 22nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 138.