Erythroblastosis fetalis, also known as hemolytic disease of the newborn is a condition that develops in a fetus when antibodies produced by the mother attack the fetus's red blood cells. Hemolysis (alternative spelling haemolysis) is the excessive breakdown of red blood cells. ... Fetus at eight weeks A fetus (alternatively foetus or fœtus) is an embryo in later stages of development, from the third month of pregnancy until birth in humans. ... Schematic of antibody binding to an antigen An antibody is a protein used by the immune system to identify and neutralize foreign objects like bacteria and viruses. ... Human red blood cells Red blood cells are the most common type of blood cell and are the vertebrate bodys principal means of delivering oxygen to body tissues via the blood. ...

Symptoms

Symptoms include yellowish skin and eye discoloration within 24 hours after birth, a severe form of Hydrops Fetalis (pallor, an enlarged liver and/or spleen, generalized swelling, respiratory distress, petechiae, purpura, death in uterus or shortly after birth). The baby can die in some cases. The term symptom (from the Greek syn = con/plus and pipto = fall, together meaning co-exist) has two similar meanings in the context of physical and mental health: A symptom can be a physical condition which shows that one has a particular illness or disorder (see e. ... Jaundice, technically known as icterus, is yellowing of the skin, sclera (eyes) and mucous membranes caused by increased levels of bilirubin in the system. ... Pallor is an abnormal loss of skin or mucous membrane color. ... Hepatomegaly is an enlargement of the liver (swelling). ... Splenomegaly is an enlargement of the spleen. ... Edema (BE: oedema, formerly known as dropsy) is swelling of any organ or tissue due to accumulation of excess fluid. ... Dyspnea (Latin dyspnoea, Greek dyspnoia from dyspnoos - short of breath) or shortness of breath (SOB) is perceived difficulty breathing or pain on breathing. ... Petechiae are pinpoint-sized hemorrhages of small capillaries in the skin or mucous membranes. ... Purple discolorations on the skin caused by bleeding underneath the skin. ... Female internal reproductive anatomy The uterus or womb is the major female reproductive organ of most mammals, including humans. ...

Cause

Erythroblastosis fetalis is caused by the passage of maternal antibodies via the placenta when there is a difference in blood type between the pregnant mother and the fetus. Problems include Rh Incompatibility, ABO incompatibility or other blood group incompatibilities such as c, E, Kell(K). The placenta is an ephemeral (temporary) organ present only in female placental mammals during gestation (pregnancy). ... A blood type is a description an individuals characteristics of red blood cells due to substances ( carbohydrates and proteins) on the cell membrane. ...

How The Diagnosis is made

The diagnosis is based on history and lab findings: Diagnosis (from the Greek words dia = by and gnosis = knowledge) is the process of identifying a disease by its signs, symptoms and results of various diagnostic procedures. ...

1. Peripheral blood morphology shows increased reticulocyte, nucleated red blood cells
2. Positive Coombs test

Reticulocytes are immature red blood cells, that normally comprise about 1% of the red cells in the human body. ...

Treatment

Before birth, options for treatment include intrauterine transfusion or early induction of labor when pulmonary maturity attained, fetal distress is present, or 35- 37 weeks of gestation have passed. Blood transfusion is the taking of blood or blood-based products from one individual and inserting them into the circulatory system of another. ... A pregnant woman Pregnancy is the process by which a mammalian female carries a live offspring from conception until it develops to the point where the offspring is capable of living outside the womb. ...

After birth, treatment depends on the severity of the condition, but could include temperature stabilization and monitoring, phototherapy, transfusion with compatible packed red blood, exchange transfusion, sodium bicarbonate for correction of acidosis and/or assisted ventilation. Light therapy or phototherapy consists of exposure to specific ranges of light wavelengths (using lasers or LEDs), or very bright, full-spectrum light, for a prescribed amount of time. ... Sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3), or sodium hydrogen carbonate, also known as baking soda and bicarbonate of soda, is a soluble white anhydrous or crystalline compound, with a slight alkaline taste resembling that of sodium carbonate. ... In physiology, acidosis is any condition tending to elevate the hydrogen ion concentration of arterial plasma, making the blood more acidic. ...

Complications

Complications could include kernicterus, hepatosplenomegaly, inspissated (thickened or dried) bile syndrome and/or greenish staining of the teeth. Kernicterus is damage to the brain centers of infants caused by jaundice. ... Hepatosplenomegaly is the simultaneous enlargement of both the liver (hepatomegaly) and the spleen (splenomegaly). ... Types of teeth Molars are used for grinding up foods Carnassials are used for slicing food. ...

Similar Conditions

Similar conditions include acquired hemolytic anemia, congenital toxoplasma and syphilis infection, congenital obstruction of bile duct and cytomegalovirus infection. Depression-era U.S. poster advocating early syphilis treatment Syphilis (historically called lues) is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) that is caused by a spirochaete bacterium, Treponema pallidum. ... Species see text Cytomegalovirus (CMV), is a genus of Herpes viruses; in humans the species is known as Human herpesvirus 5 (HHV-5). ...