Incidence of Neonatal Polycythemia in Ibadan.

Abstract

Summary:  Five hundred consecutive liveborn infants screened for polycythemia revealed an incidence of 3.2% which is close to 3-9% reported among American newborn infants. Intrauterine growth retardation particularly among products of multiple pregnancy, was the major cause in the series. It is suggested that large-for-gestational-age and appropriately-grown infants should also, be routinely evaluated for polycythemia since as many as 45% of the infants with polycythemia may be symptomatic and delay in management may result in serious disability.