Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota
  Delivering Next Generation Care
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Albumin
A protein found in the fluid part of the blood. It is a component of plasma given to the infant to help maintain blood volume and good blood circulation. Babies who are ill often have a drop in the amount of blood available to the heart for pumping to the body. Albumin has been used to expand the blood volume and increase the effectiveness of the heart. An example would be a baby who has lost blood for any reason and needs an immediate infusion of fluid before a red blood cell transfusion is available.