Summary Haemolytic Disease of the Foetus and New.pdf

Haemolytic Disease of
the Foetus and New-
born




Description

1. haemolytic disease of the foetus and new born is an immune reaction of
the mother’s blood against the blood group factor on the foetus RBCs.
2. When RhoGAM (Rh immune globulin) became available in the 1960’s to
treat isoimmunization in Rh-negative women, the incidence of haemolytic
disease in the foetus and new born dropped significantly.
Aetiology

1. haemolytic disease occurs most frequently when the mother does not have
the Rh factor present in her blood but the foetus has this factor. Another
common cause of haemolytic disease is ABO incompatibility. In most cases
of ABO incompatibility, the mother has blood type O and the foetus has
blood type A. It may also occur when the foetus has blood type B or AB.
2. Haemolysis is occasionally caused by maternal anaemias, such as
thalassemia or from other blood group antigens (anti-D).
Pathophysiology

1. This disorder occurs when the foetus has a blood group antigen that the
mother does not possess. The mother’s body forms an antibody against that