Chapter 9 – Hemolytic Disease of the Fetus and Newborn
Abstract Hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN) is the immune mediated destruction of fetal and neonatal red blood cells by maternal antibody. HDFN occurs when the fetal red…
Chapter 8 – Anemia of Prematurity and Indications for Erythropoietin Therapy
Abstract Anemia of prematurity is a multifactorial anemia, characterized by relatively low plasma erythropoietin (EPO) levels, iatrogenic blood loss, low circulating blood volumes and insufficient erythropoiesis. This anemia has been…
Chapter 7 – A Guide to Identifying the Cause of Anemia in a Neonate
Abstract Diagnosing anemia in a neonate is only a first step in a process that includes: clarifying the pathology responsible for the anemia, instituting the best-known therapy (if indeed a…
Chapter 6 – Newborn Genetic Screening for Blood Disorders
Abstract The newborn screening (NBS) program is a well-established comprehensive public health initiative with the main goal of identifying newborns affected by genetic disorders, for whom early interventions may prevent…
Chapter 5 – Immunodeficiency Diseases of the Neonate
Abstract Understanding the development of specific components of the neonatal immune system is critical to the understanding of the susceptibility of the neonate to specific pathogens [1]. With the increasing…
Chapter 4 – Bone Marrow Failure Syndromes
Abstract Inherited bone marrow failure syndromes (IBMFS) are a rare but important consideration in the differential diagnosis of cytopenias in childhood [1]. However, diagnosis of IBMFS in the newborn period…
Chapter 3 – The Development of the Human Immune System
Abstract Neonates frequently suffer from life threatening infections. Immaturity of the immune system increases the vulnerability to infection, and the preterm and term neonatal immune system has specific deficiencies relative…
Chapter 2 – Hematopoiesis
Abstract Hematopoiesis refers to the continuous production and release of blood cells into the circulation. As blood cells become old or injured, self-renewing hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) proliferate and differentiate…
Chapter 1 – A Historical Review
Abstract Ancient concepts of the blood were described by Hippocrates and Galen 2000 years ago in their doctrine of “humors.” It was believed that the body was made up of…
Chapter 12 – Systemic Mastocytosis
Abstract Mastocytosis is a diverse group of rare diseases due to a clonal proliferation of neoplastic mast cells that can involve a wide variety of organ systems. The two main…
