Hemolytic disease of the newborn (patient information)

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Editor-in-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S.,M.D. [1] Phone:617-632-7753; Associate Editor-In-Chief: Lakshmi Gopalakrishnan, M.B.B.S.

Erythroblastosis fetalis is a potentially life-threatening blood disorder in a fetus or newborn infant. This article provides a general overview.

Symptoms in a newborn baby may include:

• Anemia
• Edema (swelling under the surface of the skin)
• Enlarged liver or spleen
• Hydrops (fluid throughout the body’s tissues, including in the spaces containing the lungs, heart, and abdominal organs)
• Newborn jaundice

• Erythroblastosis fetalis develops in an unborn infant when the mother and baby have different blood types. The mother produces substances called antibodies that attack the developing baby’s red blood cells.

• The most common form of erythroblastosis fetalis is ABO incompatibility, which can vary in severity.

• The less common form is called Rh incompatibility, which can cause very severe anemia in the baby.

Specific tests depend on the type of erythroblastosis, but may include:

• Complete blood count
• Bilirubin level
• Blood typing

• After birth, depending on the severity, a transfusion usually needs to be performed.

• For specific treatment information, see:

• ABO incompatibility
• Rh incompatibility

Directions to Hospitals Treating Hemolytic disease of the newborn

The severity of this condition can vary widely.

• In some instances, the baby has no symptoms of the disease.
• In other cases, it can lead to death of the baby before or shortly after birth.

• It can be treated before birth by intrauterine transfusion.

Complications depend on the specific type of erythroblastosis fetalis.

• The most severe form of this disease, Rh incompatibility, can be prevented if the mother takes a medicine called RhoGAM at certain times during and after pregnancy.

• If you have had a baby with this disease, be sure to talk with your doctor if you plan on having another baby.

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