Hemolytic Disease of the Newborn

Excerpt

Hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN) is an immune-mediated red blood cell (RBC) disorder in which maternal antibodies attack fetal or newborn RBCs. HDFN can cause significant morbidity and mortality, especially in limited healthcare resource settings. Effects of HDFN range from mild anemia to hydrops fetalis in the fetus and hyperbilirubinemia and kernicterus in the newborn. Through early detection, management, and prevention of this disease, the incidence, and prevalence of HDFN have exponentially decreased in the past 50 years.