high hemoglobin in newborns?

Question

we just had a new baby and they say his hemoglobin is to high is this dangerous and how does it affect the baby? how is this condition remedied?

Answer 1

I really don't know anything about it. But here are a couple of websites that might be helpful:

http://www.goodhealth.com/health_a_to_z/health_library/medical_test/hemoglobin_electrophoresis

http://www.kidshealth.org/parent/pregnancy_newborn/medical_care/newborn_screening_tests.html

Answer 2

In newborns, the proportion of red blood cells is normally high. In some circumstances it is too high, and the risk is that the blood my become sludgy to the point of clotting and cause a stroke/brain damage.

Treatment involves removing blood from the umbilical vein and replacing it with a plasma substitute. It is a very safe procedure. The amount of blood to be removed is calculated from the infant's weight and its hematocrit.