Hemorrhagic cyst

Hemolytic disease or Hemolytic Disease of the Newborn (HDN) is a blood disorder in a fetus or newborn infant. In some infants, it can be life-threatening. Usually, this disease occurs when the blood types of the mother and baby are incompatible.

Causes

Hemolytic disease is often caused by Rh incompatibility, which occurs when the mother is Rh-negative and the baby is Rh-positive. The mother's body will produce an immune response against the baby's blood, causing it to break down. This can lead to anemia in the baby.

Other blood type incompatibilities can also cause hemolytic disease. For example, ABO incompatibility, which is the most common form of the disease, occurs when the mother is type O and the baby is either type A or type B.

Symptoms

Symptoms of hemolytic disease in the newborn may include jaundice, which is a yellowing of the skin and eyes, anemia, and in severe cases, heart failure and death.

Treatment

Treatment for hemolytic disease depends on the severity of the condition. Mild cases may not require any treatment. More severe cases may require blood transfusions either before birth, during delivery, or after birth. In some cases, the baby may need to be delivered early.

Prevention

Prevention of hemolytic disease is possible. If a pregnant woman is found to be at risk, she may receive Rh immune globulin injections during her pregnancy and after delivery to prevent her body from producing Rh antibodies.