Hemolytic Disease of the Newborn

hemolytic Disease of the Newborn - What is hemolytic disease of the new-sprung(a) (HDN)? Hemolytic disease of the newborn baby is also called erythroblastosis fetalis. This condition occurs when there is an incompatibility between the consanguinity types of the mother and kid. * Hemolytic means breaking down of personnel casualty rake cells * Erythroblastosis refers to making of immature expiration rent cells * Fetalis refers to fetus - What fares hemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN)?HDN most frequently occurs when an Rh nix mother has a baby with an Rh positive father. When the babys Rh factor is positive, like the fathers, businesss cannister develop if the babys red blood cells cross to the Rh negative mother. This usually happens at actors line when the placenta detaches. However, it may also happen anytime blood cells of the two circulations mix, such as during a miscarriage or abortion, with a fall, or during an invasive prenatal examination procedure (e. g. , a n amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling). The mothers immune system sees the babys Rh positive red blood cells as foreign. Just as when bacteria overflow the body, the immune system responds by developing antibodies to fight and destroy these foreign cells. The mothers immune system then keeps the antibodies in case the foreign cells appear again, regular(a) in a future pregnancy. The mother is now Rh sensitized. In a first pregnancy, Rh sensitization is not likely. Usually, it only becomes a problem in a future pregnancy with another Rh positive baby. During that pregnancy, the mothers antibodies cross the placenta to fight the Rh positive cells in the babys body.As the antibodies destroy the red blood cells, the baby can become sick. This is called erythroblastosis fetalis during pregnancy. In the newborn, the condition is called hemolytic disease of the newborn. - Who is affected by hemolytic disease of the newborn? Babies affected by HDN ar usually in a mothers second o r higher pregnancy, after she has become sensitized with a first baby. HDN due to Rh incompatibility is close to three times more likely in Caucasian babies than African-American babies. Why is hemolytic disease of the newborn a concern? When the mothers antibodies attack the red blood cells, they are broken down and destroyed (hemolysis). This makes the baby anemic. Anemia is dangerous because it limits the ability of the blood to carry oxygen to the babys organs and tissues. As a result * The babys body responds to the hemolysis by trying to make more red blood cells very quickly in the bone marrow and the liver-colored and spleen. This causes these organs to get bigger.The new red blood cells, called erythroblasts, are often immature and are not able to do the work of mature red blood cells. * As the red blood cells break down, a substance called bilirubin is formed. Babies are not easily able to get rid of the bilirubin and it can build up in the blood and other tissues and rovings of the babys body. This is called hyperbilirubinemia. Because bilirubin has a pigment or colouration, it causes a yellowing of the babys skin and tissues. This is called jaundice. Complications of hemolytic disease of the newborn can range from mild to severe.The following are some of the problems that can result During pregnancy * Mild genus Anemia, hyperbilirubinemia, and jaundice The placenta helps rid some of the bilirubin, but not all. * Severe anemia with en outsizement of the liver and spleen When these organs and the bone marrow cannot compensate for the fast destruction of red blood cells, severe anemia results and other organs are affected. * Hydrops fetalis This occurs as the babys organs are unable to handle the anemia. The heart begins to fail and large amounts of fluid build up in the babys tissues and organs.A fetus with hydrops is at great risk of being stillborn. After birth * Severe hyperbilirubinemia and jaundice The babys liver is unable to handle the l arge amount of bilirubin that results from red blood cell breakdown. The babys liver is enlarged and anemia continues. * Kernicterus Kernicterus is the most severe form of hyperbilirubinemia and results from the buildup of bilirubin in the brain. This can cause seizures, brain damage, deafness, and death. - What are the symptoms of hemolytic disease of the newborn?The following are the most common symptoms of hemolytic disease of the newborn. However, each baby may beget symptoms differently. During pregnancy symptoms may include * With amniocentesis, the amniotic fluid may have a yellow coloring and contain bilirubin. * Ultrasound of the fetus shows enlarged liver, spleen, or heart and fluid buildup in the fetuss abdomen. After birth, symptoms may include * A pale coloring may be evident, due to anemia. * Jaundice, or yellow coloring of amniotic fluid, umbilical cord, skin, and eyes may be present.The baby may not look yellow immediately after birth, but jaundice can develop quick ly, usually within 24 to 36 hours. * The newborn may have an enlarged liver and spleen. * Babies with hydrops fetalis have severe edema (swelling) of the entire body and are extremely pale. They often have difficulty breathing. - How is hemolytic disease of the newborn diagnosed? Because anemia, hyperbilirubinemia, and hydrops fetalis can occur with other diseases and conditions, the accurate diagnosing of HDN depends on determining if there is a blood group or blood type incompatibility.Sometimes, the diagnosis can be made during pregnancy ground on information from the following discharges * examen for the presence of Rh positive antibodies in the mothers blood * Ultrasound to detect organ enlargement or fluid buildup in the fetus. Ultrasound is a diagnostic imaging technique which uses high-frequency sound waves and a computer to create images of blood vessels, tissues, and organs. Ultrasound is used to view infixed organs as they function, and to assess blood flow through v arious vessels. * Amniocentesis to measure the amount of bilirubin in the amniotic fluid.Amniocentesis is a test performed to determine chromosomal and genetic disorders and certain birth defects. The test involves inserting a needle through the abdominal and uterine wall into the amniotic sac to think of a sample of amniotic fluid. * Sampling of some of the blood from the fetal umbilical cord during pregnancy to check for antibodies, bilirubin, and anemia in the fetus. Once a baby is born, diagnostic tests for HDN may include the following * Testing of the babys umbilical cord blood for blood group, Rh factor, red blood cell count, and antibodies * Testing of the babys blood for bilirubin levels Treatment for hemolytic disease of the newborn Once HDN is diagnosed, treatment may be needed. Specific treatment for hemolytic disease of the newborn will be determined by your babys physician based on * Your babys gestational age, overall health, and medical history * Extent of the dis ease * Your babys tolerance for limited medications, procedures, or therapies * Expectations for the course of the disease * Your opinion or preference During pregnancy, treatment for HDN may include Intrauterine blood transfusion of red blood cells into the babys circulation This is through by placing a needle through the mothers uterus and into the abdominal cavity of the fetus or directly into the vein in the umbilical cord. It may be necessary to give a sedative medication to keep the baby from moving. Intrauterine transfusions may need to be reiterate. * Early delivery if the fetus develops complications If the fetus has mature lungs, labor and delivery may be induced to prevent worsening of HDN. After birth, treatment may include * Blood transfusions(for severe anemia) endovenous fluids(for low blood pressure) * Help for respiratory distress using oxygen or a mechanical breathing machine * Exchange transfusion to renew the babys damaged blood with fresh blood The exchange t ransfusion helps increase the red blood cell count and lower the levels of bilirubin. An exchange transfusion is through by alternating giving and withdrawing blood in small amounts through a vein or artery. Exchange transfusions may need to be repeated if the bilirubin levels remain high. - Prevention of hemolytic disease of the newbornFortunately, HDN is a very preventable disease. Because of the advances in prenatal care, nearly all women with Rh negative blood are identified in early pregnancy by blood testing. If a mother is Rh negative and has not been sensitized, she is usually given a drug called Rh immunoglobulin (RhIg), also known as RhoGAM. This is a specially developed blood product that can prevent an Rh negative mothers antibodies from being able to react to Rh positive cells. Many women are given RhoGAM around the 28th week of pregnancy. After the baby is born, a fair sex should receive a second dose of the drug within 72 hours.