| | Family Health | Baby Health
Fetal Hematopoiesis: Liver, Spleen, and Bone Marrow Timeline
Blood cell production shifts during gestation:
- Liver: Primary site until ~3rd trimester; produces RBCs, WBCs, platelets.
- Spleen: Contributes RBCs and WBCs (mainly 2nd trimester).
- Bone marrow: Becomes primary site in 3rd trimester; continues throughout life.
This ontogeny explains why certain anemias or malignancies present differently in fetuses/neonates vs. adults.
Baby Health - Related Articles
- Baby's Survival After Water Breaks: What to Expect
- Understanding Infant Fever: Risks, Causes & When to Seek Help
- Newborn Hair Loss: Causes, Stages & When to Worry
- Safe Infant Ear Cleaning: A Parent's Guide
- Infant Runny Nose: Causes, Relief & When to See a Doctor
- NyQuil During Pregnancy: Risks of Alcohol, Antihistamines & Decongestants
- Infant Cold Relief: Simple & Safe Home Care Tips