Hemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN) is a blood disorder in a fetus or newborn infant. In some infants, it can be life threatening.
This article provides a general overview. For more detailed information see the specific disorder:
Alternative NamesHDN; Erythroblastosis fetalis
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsHDN may develop when a mother and her unborn baby have different blood types (called "incompatibility"). The mother produces substances called antibodies that attack the developing baby's red blood cells.
The most common form of HDN is ABO incompatibility, which is usually not very severe. Other, less common types may cause more severe problems.
The least common form is Rh incompatibility, which can almost always be prevented. When this form does occur, it can cause very severe anemia in the baby.
SymptomsHDN can destroy the newborn baby's blood cells very quickly, which can cause symptoms such as:
Signs of HDN include:
Which tests are done depends on the type of blood group incompatibility and the severity of symptoms, but may include:
After birth, a transfusion may need to be performed.
Infants with mild HDN may be treated with:
The severity of this condition can vary. Some babies have no symptoms. In other cases, problems such as hydrops can cause the baby to die before, or shortly after birth. Severe HDN may be treated before birth by intrauterine transfusion.
PreventionThe most severe form of this disease, which is caused by Rh incompatibility, can be prevented if the mother takes a medicine called RhoGAM at certain times during and after her pregnancy. If you have had a baby with this disease, talk with your doctor if you plan to have another baby.
ReferencesGruslin AM, Moore TR. Erythroblastosis fetalis. In: Martin R, Fanaroff A, Walsh M, eds. Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine. 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2011.
Cohen DW. Hemolytic disease of the newborn: RBC alloantibodies in pregnancy and associated serologic issues. UpToDate, Waltham, MA. Nov 2009.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 11/14/2011
Kimberly G. Lee, MD, MSc, IBCLC, Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC. Review Provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
Hemolytic disease of the newborn is known as erythroblastosis fetalis
A hemolytic disease of the newborn that is characterized by an increase in circulating red blood cells and by jaundice and that occurs when the system of an Rh-negative mother produces antibodies to an antigen in the blood of an Rh-positive fetus which cross the placenta and destroy fetal red blood cells, called also hemolytic disease of the newborn.
Hemolytic disease of the newborn is also known as erythroblastosis fetalis. It is a condition that develops in a fetus when the mother and fetus have incompatible blood types.
Yes, there's no problem. Your children won't have hemolytic disease of the newborn.
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The shot is a precaution against Rh incompatibility and if not getting the shot it can affect future pregnancies and cause hemolytic disease in the newborn.
Parents who are expecting a baby have their blood typed to diagnose and prevent hemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN), a type of anemia also known as erythroblastosis fetalis.
Yes, although ABO and Rh are the main causes of haemolytic transfusion reactions (HTR's), if a person with an anti-K antibody is transfused with red blood cells which have a kell antigen on their surface, it has been known to cause delayed HTR's through the supression of erythropoiesis. As for haemolytic disease of the newborn, it is thought that anti-K can cause HDN vie anaemia, not jaundice.
This is a condition in which there is abnormal destruction of the red blood cells of the baby. It can be due to blood group incompatibility between mother and baby or due to diseases of red blood cells in the baby.
Erythroblastosis fetalis (hemolytic disease of the newborn). A first-born child will not usually suffer harmful effects, however subsequent babies will be affected.
hemolytic anemia
The developing fetus of an Rh negative female is at risk for Hemolytic Disease of the Newborn if the father is Rh positive and the child has inherited the "D" antigen from the father (RH positive).