Patient's question:
After my daughter was born, she was diagnosed with neonatal hemolytic disease and had to be closely monitored in the hospital. She might also need blood transfusions, and the child is in great pain. Our hearts ache too. I just can't understand how both my husband and I are healthy, yet our child ended up with this disease! Please explain it to me clearly. The help I hope to receive: What causes neonatal hemolytic disease?Doctor's answer:
1. Rh blood type incompatibility Rh blood type incompatibility-induced neonatal hemolytic disease has a relatively low incidence in our country. It is usually the case where the mother is Rh-negative and the fetus is Rh-positive with incompatible blood types, leading to hemolysis. Generally, it does not occur in the first pregnancy but starts from the second one. However, if an Rh-negative mother has undergone an Rh-positive surgery before the first pregnancy, the first pregnancy can also be affected.2. ABO blood type incompatibility This condition is most commonly caused by ABO blood type incompatibility, with the most frequent scenario being an O-type mother and an A-type or B-type fetus (or infant).