In Arizona, more than 5,000 babies are born prematurely each year. Many of our neonatologists who take care of critically ill and premature newborns, also conduct research to develop better ways to take care of these little babies.
Premature babies have very little blood and often they lack the ability to produce red blood cells.
Erythropoietin, the hormone that stimulates red blood cell production, is inactive in premature babies. As a consequence, many premature babies receive multiple blood transfusions before they leave the hospital. Neonatologist Pam Kling, M.D. , is working to prevent that. Her research focuses on developing a better understanding of how erythropoietin works in premature babies' bodies. Eventually she hopes to be able to manipulate the hormone and stimulate the baby's own system to produce red blood cells.