Final answer:
Anemia is a common hematologic issue faced by preterm and late preterm infants due to ineffective hematopoiesis and the transition from fetal to adult hemoglobin.
Step-by-step explanation:
When considering the hematologic status of preterm infants, a common issue they may face is anemia. This is due to ineffective hematopoiesis, which results in insufficient numbers of red blood cells (RBCs). Preterm infants, including late preterm infants, are at a higher risk for anemia because of a number of factors, including their rapid growth rates and the immature state of their hematopoietic system. Furthermore, fetal hemoglobin, which has a greater affinity for oxygen to facilitate transfer from the mother, starts to be replaced with adult hemoglobin shortly after birth, and this transition can contribute to anemia in preterm infants. In comparison, conditions like polycythemia and hypercoagulability are less common than anemia in these infants.