The aetiology of this neonatal anaemia is multi-factorial, but explanatory models often address decreasing erythropoietin levels following transition from a relatively hypoxic intrauterine environment to more oxygen-rich conditions after birth.5 6 Also well-known is a considerable blood volume loss related to frequent clinical blood sampling7 causing a potential depletion of unique endogenous red blood cells (RBCs).8 9. This evidence concerns the gene EPO and anemia (phenotype).