Hematologic Disorders in the Newborn

Abstract

Hematologic disorders can seriously threaten the welfare of newborn infants. A comparatively small loss of blood may be a life-endangering hemorrhage in a small infant. The susceptibility of the newborn s central nervous system to damage by bilirubin adds a most serious threat to a hemolytic crisis. Disorders of the blood in the newborn often are difficult to diagnose, and prompt emergency treatment must be administered if permanent residual damage is to be avoided.