Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Practice Exam

Which condition can lead to excessive breakdown of red blood cells in neonates?

1. Hypoxia

2. Hemorrhage

3. Infection

4. Sepsis

The correct answer is: Hypoxia

The condition that can lead to excessive breakdown of red blood cells in neonates is hypoxia. Hypoxia refers to a deficiency in the amount of oxygen reaching the tissues, which can trigger a series of physiological responses in the body. In neonates, particularly premature ones, hypoxia can lead to increased erythropoiesis (the production of red blood cells) as the body attempts to compensate for low oxygen levels. However, the rapid turnover of red blood cells can ultimately result in hemolysis, or the breakdown of these cells, especially if the newborn has developed conditions such as hemolytic disease of the newborn. In contrast, while hemorrhage can lead to loss of red blood cells, it does not typically cause excessive breakdown of those cells—rather, it results in their acute loss. Infection can also affect red blood cell levels, but it mainly causes alterations due to inflammatory processes rather than direct hemolysis. Sepsis, a severe infection that spreads throughout the body, can potentially exacerbate the situation by leading to multiple organ dysfunction, but it is not primarily characterized by the breakdown of red blood cells like hypoxia is. Therefore, hypoxia stands out as the condition directly associated with excessive breakdown of red blood cells in the neonatal population