Question 1

is polycythemia something that will go away on its own eventually?

Accepted Answer

It depends: If polycythemia occurs in a newborn, either as the result of maternal diabetes, placental insufficiency, or maternal-fetal transfusion at delivery (e.g., delayed cord clamping) then the extra red blood cells will slowly be removed naturally by the infant's body. There is no therapy required. Rarely, polycythemia is associated with an underlying hematologic problem, in which case it will persist.

Question 2

could polycythemia vera go away with time?

Accepted Answer

Unfortunately, no.: This disease cannot be cured at this time, but must be treated by treating symptoms.  Phlebotomy is the major treatment done.

Question 3

did something happen during the pregnancy to cause my baby to have polycythemia?

Accepted Answer

Perhaps: Polycythemia means that there are more than the usual number of red blood cells in the circulation. A newborn may be polycythemic for many reasons, the most common being maternal diabetes. Other conditions during pregnancy can cause polycythemia, such as placental insufficiency, or it can be caused at delivery, by delayed cord clamping or low positioning of the newborn before the cord is clamped.

Question 4

what to do about polycythemia?

Accepted Answer

Find cause: Polycythemia refers to having too many red blood cells. This can be caused by conditions that decrease the oxygen in the blood (like smoking), congenital heart defects, etc. Sometimes it can be a disorder of red blood cell production. Treatment includes correcting the cause and/or removing excess blood (phlebotomy) and medication like hydroxyurea.

Question 5

how often do young children get polycythemia?

Accepted Answer

Rarely: Primary polycythemias, including congenital polycythemia and polycythemia vera, are rare genetic disorders where one makes too many red blood cells. Its incidence varies from 3-30:100, 000. Secondary polycythemia is a response to hypoxia, transfusion, or injection of erythropoietin. Its incidence is hard to determine, since it is often a benign, self-limited condition, especially in young children.

Question 6

is being premature and having polycythemia related?

Accepted Answer

If they are multiple: Usually premature babies tend to have less amount of hemoglobin than term infants, even though they have more blood volume for the weight. But because of ttts, the recipient twin tends to be big and polycythemic and the donor tends to be scrawny and pale.

Question 7

will having polycythemia make my son a better athlete?

Accepted Answer

No: Polycythemia (increased red cells in the blood) will not make him a better athlete. Within limits, it increases the oxygen deliverable by blood and may improve endurance. Elite endurance athletes sometimes train in lower oxygen (e.g. At altitude) to induce a form of polycythemia. This is not advised for children. Polycythemia should be evaluated as it can be dangerous and signal serious disease.

Question 8

if i had polycythemia as a child is it likely that my son will also have it?

Accepted Answer

Not likely: Polycythemia is a condition related to risk factors like maternal diabetis, ABO or rh incompatibility, iugr. Unless you have a condition that predisposes to polycythemia there is no need to worry.

Question 9

why does polycythemia cause bleeding?

Accepted Answer

Abnormal platelets: Individuals with polycythemia (an acquired disorder of the bone marrow that causes an abnormal increase in all three blood cell types:  red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets) have an increased tendency to form blood clots that can result in strokes or heart attacks.  Some people also have abnormal bleeding because their platelets (responsible for clotting) are abnormal.

Question 10

how does polycythemia affect your blood?

Accepted Answer

Thicker blood: Thicker blood means slow flow to the organs. True polycythemia may cause headaches. Severe polycythemia can develop blood clots.

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Doctor answers about:

Is polycythemia something that will go away on its own eventually

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Is polycythemia something that will go away on its own eventually?

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Could polycythemia vera go away with time?

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Did something happen during the pregnancy to cause my baby to have polycythemia?

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What to do about polycythemia?

A member asked:

How often do young children get polycythemia?

A member asked:

Is being premature and having polycythemia related?

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Will having polycythemia make my son a better athlete?

A member asked:

If i had polycythemia as a child is it likely that my son will also have it?

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Why does polycythemia cause bleeding?

A member asked:

How does polycythemia affect your blood?

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