Physiologic Anemia of Infancy

Aka: Physiologic Anemia of Infancy

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II. Definition

  1. Normal Hemoglobin decrease in young infants

III. Physiology

  1. Hemoglobin drops to low point at age 6 to 8 weeks
  2. Erythropoietin nadir drops Hemoglobin
    1. Term Infants: Hemoglobin drops to 9-11 g/dl
    2. Preterm Infants: Hemoglobin drops to 7-9 g/dl

IV. Differential Diagnosis

  1. See Normocytic Anemia
  2. Human Parvovirus B19 (Fifth Disease)
  3. Hemolytic Anemia (e.g. G6PD Deficiency)

V. Management

  1. No work-up or treatment unless Hemoglobin lower than expected

VI. References

  1. Oblender in Daechner (1991) Pediatrics, p. 283
  2. Irwin (2001) Am Fam Physician 64(8):1379-86 [PubMed]

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