MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Hyperviscosity

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Hyperviscosity - newborn

Contents of this page:
Illustrations Alternative names Definition Causes, incidence, and risk factors Symptoms Signs and tests	Treatment Expectations (prognosis) Complications Calling your health care provider Prevention

Illustrations

Blood cells

Alternative names Return to top

Neonatal polycythemia

Definition Return to top

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

Causes, incidence, and risk factors Return to top

Hyperviscosity results when 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 high percentage of 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 other more serious findings.

Symptoms Return to top

Very ruddy red complexion
Feeding problems
Lethargy
Seizures

Signs and tests Return to top

Tests:

Complete blood count for to determine RBCs/volume (hematocrit)
Chem-20 to check blood sugar, BUN, creatinine
Blood gases
Urinalysis

Treatment Return to top

A percentage of RBCs above 65% may be treated by raising the volume of body fluids or administering reduction transfusions, both of which can prevent the complications of hyperviscosity.

Expectations (prognosis) Return to top

The outlook is good in infants with mild hyperviscosity and in those with severe hyperviscosity that receive treatment.

Complications Return to top

Calling your health care provider Return to top

Call your health care provider if this condition is diagnosed at birth and you have additional questions.

Prevention Return to top

Newborn infants are routinely monitored for their RBC levels. (The test is called a hematocrit). This enables quick detection of the condition.

Update Date: 4/15/2003

Updated by: Elizabeth Hait, M.D., Department of Pediatrics, Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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