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Hemolytic Disease of the Newborn

What is hemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN)?

Hemolytic disease of the newborn is also called erythroblastosis fetalis. This condition occurs when there is an incompatibility between the blood types of the mother and baby.

  • "Hemolytic" means breaking down of red blood cells

  • "Erythroblastosis" refers to making of immature red blood cells

  • "Fetalis" refers to fetus

What causes hemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN)?

HDN most frequently occurs when an Rh negative mother has a baby with an Rh positive father. When the baby's Rh factor is positive, like the father's, problems can develop if the baby's red blood cells cross to the Rh negative mother. This usually happens at delivery when the placenta detaches. However, it may also happen anytime blood cells of the two circulations mix, such as during a miscarriage, with a fall, or during an invasive prenatal testing procedure (e.g., an amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling).

The mother's immune system sees the baby's Rh positive red blood cells as "foreign." Just as when bacteria invade the body, the immune system responds by developing antibodies to fight and destroy these foreign cells. The mother's immune system then keeps the antibodies in case the foreign cells appear again, even in a future pregnancy. The mother is now "Rh sensitized."

In a first pregnancy, Rh sensitization is not likely. Usually, it only becomes a problem in a future pregnancy with another Rh positive baby. During that pregnancy, the mother's antibodies cross the placenta to fight the Rh positive cells in the baby's body. As the antibodies destroy the red blood cells, the baby can become sick. This is called erythroblastosis fetalis during pregnancy. In the newborn, the condition is called hemolytic disease of the newborn.

Who is affected by hemolytic disease of the newborn?

Babies affected by HDN are usually in a mother's second or higher pregnancy, after she has become sensitized with a first baby. HDN due to Rh incompatibility is about three times more likely in Caucasian babies than African-American babies.

Why is hemolytic disease of the newborn a concern?

When the mother's antibodies attack the red blood cells, they are broken down and destroyed (hemolysis). This makes the baby anemic. Anemia is dangerous because it limits the ability of the blood to carry oxygen to the baby's organs and tissues. As a result:

  • The baby's body responds to the hemolysis by trying to make more red blood cells very quickly in the bone marrow and the liver and spleen. This causes these organs to get bigger. The new red blood cells, called erythroblasts, are often immature and are not able to do the work of mature red blood cells.

  • As the red blood cells break down, a substance called bilirubin is formed. Babies are not easily able to get rid of the bilirubin and it can build up in the blood and other tissues and fluids of the baby's body. This is called hyperbilirubinemia. Because bilirubin has a pigment or coloring, it causes a yellowing of the baby's skin and tissues. This is called jaundice.

Complications of hemolytic disease of the newborn can range from mild to severe. The following are some of the problems that can result:

During pregnancy:

  • Mild anemia, hyperbilirubinemia, and jaundice
    The placenta helps rid some of the bilirubin, but not all.

  • Severe anemia with enlargement of the liver and spleen
    When these organs and the bone marrow cannot compensate for the fast destruction of red blood cells, severe anemia results and other organs are affected.

  • Hydrops fetalis
    This occurs as the baby's organs are unable to handle the anemia. The heart begins to fail and large amounts of fluid build up in the baby's tissues and organs. A fetus with hydrops is at great risk of being stillborn.

After birth:

  • Severe hyperbilirubinemia and jaundice
    The baby's liver is unable to handle the large amount of bilirubin that results from red blood cell breakdown. The baby's liver is enlarged and anemia continues.

  • Kernicterus
    Kernicterus is the most severe form of hyperbilirubinemia and results from the buildup of bilirubin in the brain. This can cause seizures, brain damage, deafness, and death.

What are the symptoms of hemolytic disease of the newborn?

The following are the most common symptoms of hemolytic disease of the newborn. However, each baby may experience symptoms differently. During pregnancy symptoms may include:

  • With amniocentesis, the amniotic fluid may have a yellow coloring and contain bilirubin.

  • Ultrasound of the fetus shows enlarged liver, spleen, or heart and fluid buildup in the fetus's abdomen.

After birth, symptoms may include:

  • A pale coloring may be evident, due to anemia.

  • Jaundice, or yellow coloring of amniotic fluid, umbilical cord, skin, and eyes may be present. The baby may not look yellow immediately after birth, but jaundice can develop quickly, usually within 24 to 36 hours.

  • The newborn may have an enlarged liver and spleen.

  • Babies with hydrops fetalis have severe edema (swelling) of the entire body and are extremely pale. They often have difficulty breathing.

How is hemolytic disease of the newborn diagnosed?

Because anemia, hyperbilirubinemia, and hydrops fetalis can occur with other diseases and conditions, the accurate diagnosis of HDN depends on determining if there is a blood group or blood type incompatibility. Sometimes, the diagnosis can be made during pregnancy based on information from the following tests:

  • Testing for the presence of Rh positive antibodies in the mother's blood

  • Ultrasound - to detect organ enlargement or fluid buildup in the fetus. Ultrasound is a diagnostic imaging technique which uses high-frequency sound waves and a computer to create images of blood vessels, tissues, and organs. Ultrasound is used to view internal organs as they function, and to assess blood flow through various vessels.

  • Amniocentesis - to measure the amount of bilirubin in the amniotic fluid. Amniocentesis is a test performed to determine chromosomal and genetic disorders and certain birth defects. The test involves inserting a needle through the abdominal and uterine wall into the amniotic sac to retrieve a sample of amniotic fluid.

  • Sampling of some of the blood from the fetal umbilical cord during pregnancy to check for antibodies, bilirubin, and anemia in the fetus.

Once a baby is born, diagnostic tests for HDN may include the following:

  • Testing of the baby's umbilical cord blood for blood group, Rh factor, red blood cell count, and antibodies

  • Testing of the baby's blood for bilirubin levels

Treatment for hemolytic disease of the newborn

Once HDN is diagnosed, treatment may be needed. Specific treatment for hemolytic disease of the newborn will be determined by your baby's physician based on:

  • Your baby's gestational age, overall health, and medical history

  • Extent of the disease

  • Your baby's tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies

  • Expectations for the course of the disease

  • Your opinion or preference

During pregnancy, treatment for HDN may include:

  • Intrauterine blood transfusion of red blood cells into the baby's circulation
    This is done by placing a needle through the mother's uterus and into the abdominal cavity of the fetus or directly into the vein in the umbilical cord. It may be necessary to give a sedative medication to keep the baby from moving. Intrauterine transfusions may need to be repeated.

  • Early delivery if the fetus develops complications
    If the fetus has mature lungs, labor and delivery may be induced to prevent worsening of HDN.

After birth, treatment may include:

  • Blood transfusions (for severe anemia)

  • Intravenous fluids (for low blood pressure)

  • Help for respiratory distress using oxygen or a mechanical breathing machine

  • Exchange transfusion to replace the baby's damaged blood with fresh blood
    The exchange transfusion helps increase the red blood cell count and lower the levels of bilirubin. An exchange transfusion is done by alternating giving and withdrawing blood in small amounts through a vein or artery. Exchange transfusions may need to be repeated if the bilirubin levels remain high.

Prevention of hemolytic disease of the newborn

Fortunately, HDN is a very preventable disease. Because of the advances in prenatal care, nearly all women with Rh negative blood are identified in early pregnancy by blood testing. If a mother is Rh negative and has not been sensitized, she is usually given a drug called Rh immunoglobulin (RhIg), also known as RhoGAM. This is a specially developed blood product that can prevent an Rh negative mother's antibodies from being able to react to Rh positive cells. Many women are given RhoGAM around the 28th week of pregnancy. After the baby is born, a woman should receive a second dose of the drug within 72 hours.

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