Hemolytic Disease of the Newborn

Aka: Hemolytic Disease of the Newborn, Erythroblastosis Fetalis

advertisement

II. Pathophysiology

  1. Maternal Rh Sensitization
    1. Maternal anti-Rh Antibodies are present in newborn plasma
  2. Results in fetal Hemolytic Anemia (Alloimmune Hemolytic Anemia)
    1. Increased Unconjugated Hyperbilirubinemia
    2. Compensating Erythropoiesis
    3. Hepatosplenomegaly
      1. Red Blood Cell production and destruction
    4. Placenta enlarged
  3. Additional Risk Factors
    1. G6PD Deficiency (highest risk for Kernicterus)

III. Labs

  1. Direct Antibody Test (Direct Coombs test) positive

IV. Differential Diagnosis

  1. Hereditary Spherocytosis
  2. Inherited Hemoglobinopathy (Sickle Cell Anemia, Thalassemia)

V. Complications

  1. Fetal hydrops
  2. Hemolytic Anemia
  3. Congenital Anemia (Mild Hemolysis)
  4. Icterus Gravis (Severe Hemolysis)
  5. Kernicterus

VI. References

  1. Phillips (2018) Am Fam Physician 98(6): 354-61 [PubMed]

Images: Related links to external sites (from Bing)

These images are a random sampling from a Bing search on the term "Hemolytic Disease of the Newborn." Click on the image (or right click) to open the source website in a new browser window. Search Bing for all related images

Related Studies

Related Topics in Hematology and Oncology

advertisement