Microbiology

                                               Hemolytic disease of the newborn


                     Hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN), erythroblastosis fetalis, is a blood disorder that occurs when the blood types of a mother and baby are incompatible.

The mother produces substances called antibodies that attack the developing baby's red blood cells.

                    The most common form of HDN is ABO incompatibility, which is usually not very severe. Other, less common types may cause more severe problems.

                   The least common form is Rh incompatibility, which can almost always be prevented. When this form does occur, it can cause very severe anemia in the baby.

HDN can destroy the newborn baby's blood cells very quickly, which can cause symptoms such as:

                         Edema (swelling under the surface of the skin)

·                                                             Newborn jaundice

    Signs of HDN include:

• Anemia or low blood count
• Enlarged liver or spleen
• Hydrops that can lead to heart failure from too much fluid.