Why, in general, is the color of a child's blood a brighter red than an adult's (more maroon)?

Question

I asked the above questions today in Pathology. I thought it was a common observance. My Path teach said he had never seen a difference. I was shocked. I thought it was a general truth.

Answer 1

It would be the iron (Fe) content of the blood. I don't think it necessarily has to do with age, but it could considering children are generally healthier than adults and are not as likely to have dietary issues early in life.

But, it also probably varies from person to person. For instance, if someone is anemic, their blood would not be as red as say someone with a normal to high level of iron in the blood.

Ask any microbiologist or chemist and they will confirm the fact that it is the iron in blood that accounts for the color. That's why chicken is not red - low in iron.

Answer 2

I think I have the answer if you are talking about a NEWBORN baby. The hemoglobin of a fetus has a higher affinity for oxygen than the mother's hemoglobin, therefore for a short time after birth the newborn's blood would carry more oxygen. The reason for the higher oxygen affinity of fetal hemoglobin is so that oxygen can pass from the mother's blood to the fetus' blood within the plancenta. The baby would not recieve any oxygen otherwise.

Answer 3

The color of blood is a function of oxygen content. Other than neonates, the same hemoglobin molecule is involved. It may be that there is more oxygen in pediatric blood, children are more likely to have arterial blood in wounds, or that the slight difference in base excess affects affinity. I cannot find a corroborating source for you.

Answer 4

i am guessing because a childs blood is purer because an adult has probably polluted their blood by doing certain things.


does that make sense?

Answer 5

The number of RBC are more .