Hemolytic Disease of the Newborn

Hemolytic disease of the newborn (also known as hemolytic anemia of the newborn, erythroblastosis of the newborn, erythroblastosis of the fetus) is a disease of newborns caused by incompatibility of the blood of the mother and the fetus according to the Rh factor. This occurs when the mother's blood is Rh negative and the fetus' blood is Rh positive.

In this case, the mother's immune system begins to produce antibodies against the fetal red blood cells that enter her bloodstream. These antibodies then cross the placental barrier and destroy the fetal red blood cells, causing severe anemia, jaundice and edema. If left untreated, the disease can be fatal.

To prevent and treat the disease, pregnant women with a negative Rh factor are administered anti-Rhesus immunoglobulin. Newborns undergo replacement blood transfusion and phototherapy. With timely treatment, the prognosis for newborns is usually favorable.

Hemolytic disease of newborns (lat. m. haemolyticus neonatorum) is a severe blood disease that develops in newborns. Synonyms are also used: hemolytic anemia of newborns, erythroblastosis of newborns, erythroblastosis of fetus.

The disease is caused by incompatibility of the blood of mother and fetus according to the Rh factor and is characterized by the destruction of fetal red blood cells by maternal antibodies. This leads to severe anemia, accumulation of unconjugated bilirubin and the development of jaundice in the newborn.

Diagnosis is based on identifying the mother's Rh-negativity, the child's Rh-positivity and signs of hemolysis. Treatment includes replacement blood transfusion, phototherapy, and, if necessary, replacement blood transfusion to the fetus while still in the womb. Prevention of the disease is based on the timely administration of anti-Rh antibodies to Rh-negative women.