Patient's question:
The baby is over 50 days old, and the jaundice hasn't completely subsided. The doctor wants to rule out "ABO hemolytic disease." I am type AB blood, my husband is type B blood, and the baby is also type B blood. I have had a miscarriage before. Could the baby have ABO hemolytic disease? I heard that a Coombs test needs to be done. How is it performed?First follow-up question: My husband just said he's not sure about the baby's blood type. In that case, would there be newborn ABO hemolytic disease?
Second follow-up question: It has been confirmed that the baby's blood type was not tested after birth. Would there be newborn ABO hemolytic disease?
In the afternoon when I went to the doctor, the doctor asked me to check the baby's liver tomorrow.
Doctor's answer:
When the blood type antigen inherited from the father differs from that of the mother, entering the maternal body will stimulate the mother to produce corresponding antibodies. These antibodies can cross the placenta into the fetus, triggering an antigen-antibody reaction with the fetus's red blood cells, leading to hemolysis. The child is affected by neonatal hemolytic disease, so the mother must take the child to seek medical treatment immediately to avoid various misunderstandings. Symptomatic treatment should be administered promptly. For parents, it is essential to provide the child with sufficient care and attention, and to do everything possible to help the child receive timely medical treatment for the disease.