Erythroblastosis fetalis

From WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

Erythroblastosis fetalis is a severe medical condition that most commonly occurs in a fetus due to incompatibility between the blood types of the mother and the fetus. This condition is also known as hemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN) or Rh disease.

Causes[edit | edit source]

Erythroblastosis fetalis is caused by an incompatibility between the blood types of the mother and the fetus. This incompatibility can occur if the mother has Rh-negative blood and the fetus has Rh-positive blood, a condition known as Rh incompatibility. The mother's immune system can produce antibodies against the Rh-positive blood cells of the fetus, leading to hemolysis, or destruction of the fetus's red blood cells.

Symptoms[edit | edit source]

Symptoms of erythroblastosis fetalis can vary depending on the severity of the condition. They may include:

Diagnosis[edit | edit source]

Diagnosis of erythroblastosis fetalis can be made through various tests, including:

Treatment[edit | edit source]

Treatment for erythroblastosis fetalis may include:

Prevention[edit | edit source]

Prevention of erythroblastosis fetalis is possible through the administration of Rh immune globulin to the mother during pregnancy and after delivery.

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]


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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD