Erythroblastosis fetalis is a serious blood disorder that can occur when a fetus and mother have incompatible blood types. It can be fatal to the baby and lead to serious complications. Steps can be taken to prevent and address the condition, including routine prenatal care and Rhogam injections.
Erythroblastosis fetalis, also known as hemolytic disease of the newborn, is a serious blood disorder that can occur when a fetus and mother have incompatible blood types. This condition can be fatal to the baby and can also lead to serious complications such as organ damage to the developing fetus. A number of steps can be taken to prevent erythroblastosis fetalis and to address the condition when it arises—another reason expecting mothers should receive routine prenatal care.
Two different blood incompatibilities are related to erythroblastosis fetalis: Rh incompatibility and ABO incompatibility. In both cases, the mother develops antibodies against the baby’s blood, and these antibodies enter the fetus, destroying red blood cells and causing anemia and a number of other complications. The condition most commonly occurs during a second pregnancy, after a mother has been exposed to an incompatible blood type through delivery of a healthy baby or through an abortion, when fetal blood can enter the mother’s body. Erythroblastosis fetalis can also be induced through blood transfusion with incompatible blood.
In the first trimester of pregnancy, women are given a blood test which can determine whether or not they are at risk for erythroblastosis fetalis. If a mother is Rh negative, for example, the father may be tested to see if she is Rh positive, indicating that erythroblastosis fetalis may be developing. The mother’s blood can also be tested for antibodies to incompatible blood types. If erythroblastosis fetalis occurs, the pregnancy will need to be monitored closely. Treatments may include blood transfusions for the fetus or early delivery as soon as the fetus is viable to prevent damage from erythroblastosis fetalis.
Women can reduce their risk of Rh incompatibility by getting a Rhogam injection within 72 hours of giving birth. This immunoglobulin will kill the fetal cells in the mother’s bloodstream before she has a chance to develop antibodies against them, meaning her future pregnancies shouldn’t be complicated by Rh incompatibility. Injections are also recommended after the abortion of an Rh-positive fetus for the same reason.
Rh incompatibilities have been greatly reduced by the use of immunoglobulin injections, reducing the number of cases of erythroblastosis fetalis. Women who plan to have children in the future after a pregnancy or miscarriage should discuss Rhesus incompatibilities with their doctor to determine whether or not they need injections.
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