Prevalence of polycythemia

Polycythemia presents with a variable clinical picture, with multiple causes and risk factors. In this Portuguese study, researchers evaluated the prevalence, risk and prognostic factors of polycythemia in a neonatal unit. A total of 53 newborns met the inclusion criteria, representing a prevalence of 0.57%. The only statistically significant risk factor was out-of-hospital birth. Of the 53 patients, 51 had symptomatic polycythemia and 41 required specific treatment. The most frequently observed symptoms were hyperbilirubinemia, hypoglycemia, thrombocytopenia, cardiorespiratory signs and neurological symptoms.