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There is no difference in the rate of Cr51 elution from intact cord or adult erythrocytes Variable results of survival studies suggest that placental blood is unsuited for valid and precise measurement of erythrocyte life span. Decreased survival is not present for the erythrocytes of the normal full-term newborn infant in the first 5 days of life when compared with the adult. In the premature infant of the same age shortened life span is found of erythrocytes produced in utero. This may contribute in some degree to the characteristic increase in severity of premature anemia and hyperbilirbinemia. The apparent reduction in erythrocyte life span during the second and third months of life in both premature and full-term infants ma reflect an older erythrocyte population resultant from decreased erythropoiesis in the first weeks of life.