Skip to main content

Polycythemia, Pediatric

Benjamin J. Huang, MD and Tannie Huang, MD Reviewed 10/2018
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

Polycythemia (sometimes referred to as erythrocytosis) is defined as an absolute increase in red blood cell (RBC) mass, most commonly suspected in the context of an elevated hemoglob...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

  • Age of onset:

    • Neonates, who are born to mothers with preeclampsia or diabetes, are small for gestational age, undergo delayed cord clamping, or have certain chromosomal abnormalities (...

TREATMENT

GENERAL MEASURES

  • Most asymptomatic patients with secondary polycythemia require no additional therapy other than management of their underlying condition.

  • Pediatric patients with primary polyc...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

Patient Monitoring

Periodic laboratory follow-up depending on the etiology of polycythemia. Monitor for the following: 
  • Headache, dizziness, or syncope

  • Blurred visio...

ADDITIONAL READING

  • Cario H, McMullin MF, Pahl HL. Clinical and hematological presentation of children and adolescents with polycythemia vera. Ann Hematol.  2009;88(8):713–719. [View Abstract on O...

CODES

ICD9

  • 238.4 Polycythemia vera

  • 289.0 Polycythemia, secondary

  • 776.4 Polycythemia neonatorum

ICD10

  • D45 Polycythemia vera

  • D75.1 Secondary polycythemia

  • P61.1 Polycythemia neonatorum

SNOMED

  • 109992005 Polycythem...

FAQ

  • Q: What are common causes of polycythemia in the pediatric population?

  • A: Secondary polycythemias. In particular, neonates and patients with cyanotic heart disease commonly present with polycythemi...

Subscribe to Access Full Content

Sign Up for a 10-Day Free Trial

Sign up for a 10-day FREE Trial now and receive full access to all content.

×