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Abstract Anemia is the most common hematological problem in the neonatal ICU, it was recognized that red blood cell transfusions were required by a significant number of sick neonates. Neonatal anemia can be due to blood loss, decreased RBC production, or increased destruction of erythrocytes. Physiologic anemia of the newborn and anemia of prematurity are the two most common causes of anemia in neonates. Phlebotomy losses result in much of the anemia seen in low birth weight infants. All medical treatments and procedures are associated with potential adverse effects of greater or lesser significance. As a result of routine blood sampling for newborns admitted to the NICU many iatrogenic complications may occur as hematomas, injury of blood vessels or nerves, infection or hematomas increase in newborns with coagulopathy, while the most common complication of phlebotomies in the NICU is the anemia of sampling |