Newborn babies frequently become anaemic (have a reduced number of red blood cells), particularly if they are born early. This may be because of medical problems, or because babies who are unwell require a large number of blood tests to monitor their progress and this needs to be replaced. Occasionally, babies who are very jaundiced or anaemic need to have blood removed as well as transfused; this is called an exchange transfusion.
Will my baby need a blood transfusion?
