What is a common sign of severe anemia of prematurity?

A common sign of severe anemia of prematurity is poor oral feeding. This condition often arises due to the immature hematopoietic system in premature infants, resulting in low levels of hemoglobin and overall inadequate oxygen-carrying capacity. As a consequence, these infants may exhibit fatigue and decreased energy, impacting their ability and willingness to feed effectively. Poor oral feeding can lead to inadequate caloric intake, which can further exacerbate the infant's condition and growth potential.

While other factors like rapid weight gain, excessive sweating, and low blood pressure can indicate various health issues, they are not typically associated with severe anemia of prematurity. Rapid weight gain may occur in response to fluid overload or may be unrelated to anemia. Excessive sweating is more commonly related to other conditions and may not specifically indicate anemia. Low blood pressure can be seen in premature infants but is a nonspecific sign and not directly a result of anemia. Therefore, poor oral feeding stands out as a significant indicator of severe anemia in this population.