Patient's question:
What is neonatal hemolytic disease? Please ask the expert for a quick answer.Previous treatment history and effectiveness: None
What kind of help do you expect: Complete, quick answer, thank you.
Doctor's answer:
Hemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN) occurs due to incompatibility between the blood types of the mother and child, leading to an antigen-antibody reaction between the mother and fetus. This reaction destroys fetal red blood cells, resulting in a homologous passive immunologic disease, hence the name Hemolytic Disease of the Newborn caused by Blood Type Incompatibility between Mother and Child. The primary blood type incompatibility in this condition refers to the Rh and ABO systems. Babies suffering from HDN may exhibit various symptoms, primarily manifesting as jaundice, hepatosplenomegaly, and anemia. In mild cases, the progression is slow with minimal impact on the overall condition; in severe cases, the progression is rapid, and symptoms may include poor appetite, refusal to eat, and even the occurrence of bilirubin encephalopathy or life-threatening conditions.1. Prenatal Examination: Antibody testing is performed in the early stages of pregnancy as the first baseline measurement, followed by periodic testing. If the titer rises, it indicates potential harm to the fetus. Amniotic fluid bilirubin testing; B-mode ultrasound to check for fetal edema and ascites.
2. Prenatal Treatment: The goal is to correct anemia and reduce the severity of the condition. Plasma exchange therapy uses fresh frozen plasma or albumin as the exchange fluid, often requiring multiple sessions. Intrauterine surgery involves transfusing Rh-negative "O" type blood into the fetal peritoneum, with the amount of blood transfused determined by the gestational age. Early induction of labor is performed to prevent the condition from worsening in the fetus.
3. Rh-negative Women Giving Birth to Rh-positive Infants: Within 24 hours after delivery, intramuscular injection of anti-D immunoglobulin (in milligrams) can destroy fetal red blood cells with antigens and inhibit the production of maternal antibodies. However, this is ineffective for individuals who have already been sensitized.