Deformability and Microcirculatory Flow of Red Blood Cells in Newborn Infants

Deformability of red blood cells is defined as their ability to deform (ie; to assume new shapes) in response to forces applied on the cell. This is essential for effective blood flow, particularly in the microcirculation, where red blood cells of about 8 um diameter flow through 3 to 4 um diameter vessels. Thus deformability of red blood cells is an important determinant of flow through microcirculation, of oxygen transport and release to the tissues and also of whole blood viscosity and red cell life span.