Why does polycythemia occur in a fetus?
A) Because fetal hemoglobin has a greater affinity for oxygen due to 2,3 diphosphoglycerate (2,3 DP)
B) Because the fetus has a different hemoglobin structure of two- and two-chains rather than two- and two ß-chains
C) Because there is increased erythropoiesis in response to the hypoxic intrauterine environment
D) Because the lungs of the fetus are undeveloped and unable to adequately diffuse oxygen to the pulmonary capillaries

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Polycythemia occurs in a fetus due to increased erythropoiesis in response to the hypoxic intrauterine environment. The fetus receives less oxygen from the mother's blood than it would after birth, so the body produces more red blood cells to try to compensate for low oxygen levels. This leads to an increase in the overall volume of blood in the fetus, which can cause complications during delivery and after birth.

Why Does Polycythemia Occur in a Fetus