Page Contents
Utmost care is given to every pregnant woman. Proper diet, scheduled exercise and regular prenatal check ups are carefully observed. This is because diseases associated with pregnancy are very delicate as both the mother and the fetus can be affected. Apart from well know pregnancy induced disease states like diabetes and hypertension there diseases that is suffered by the fetus. Among this is the uncommonly occurring erythroblastosis fetalis.
What is Erythroblastosis Fetalis ?
Erythroblastosis fetalis is a blood disorder of new born infants. It is a condition wherein the blood type of the mother and the fetus is not identical. Because of the difference in blood type, the antibodies of the mother attack the red blood cells of the fetus through transplacental transmission. The specific disorder could be due to
Rh incompatibility
This disorder involves Rh blood group system specifically the D antigen’s Rh-negative and Rh-positive. The first born infant is usually not affected with this incompatibility.
In Rh-incompatibility the mother has Rh-negative blood while the father has Rh-positive blood. Their resulting fetus has Rh-positive blood. The red blood cells of the fetus go to the mother’s blood circulation at pregnancy and delivery. Since the mother has a different Rh type, antibodies are produced against the fetus’ Rh type. The Rh antibodies will remain in the mother’s system and will attack the red blood cells of the fetus in her next pregnancy which may cause death of the fetus. In response to the lyses of red blood cells erythroblasts are released into the fetus’ circulation thus causing erythroblastosis fetalis. Erythrocytes are immature red blood cells.
ABO incompatibility
This disorder involves the A, B, and O blood types. It is relatively less common and severe than Rh incompatibility and actually leads to neonatal erythroblastosis.
Other blood group system incompatibility
The Kell, Kidd, Diego and other system incompatibilities can also cause erythroblastosis fetalis.
Each incompatibility has specific manifestations but generally infants with erythroblastosis fetalis may experience anemia, jaundice, edema and hydrops or has an enlarged liver or spleen. Specific symptoms of Rh-incompatibility include delays in skills development, loose droopy muscle s and increased amniotic fluid volume.
Laboratory tests for Erythroblastosis Fetalis Diagnosis
• Rh typing
• Reflex antibody screening
• Antibody level measurement
• Bilirubin level determination
• Blood typing test
• Complete blood count determination
• Direct Coombs test
Erythroblastosis Fetalis Treatment
Thinking 0f erythroblastosis fetalis can be prevented by treating ? Read this information to clarify your doubts on its treatment.
Fetal blood transfusion is the usual treatment for infants with erythroblastosis fetalis. This can be performed intrauterine but only by a specialist. The frequency of transfusion is every 1 or 2 weeks and is continued until the lungs of the fetus have already matured. Neonates on the other hand who have just been diagnosed of the disorder can also be subjected to exchange transfusion as determined by the physician.
For ABO incompatibility the following medications can be used:
• Steroids – to stop allergic reactions and swelling
• Fluids – given intravenously
• Antihistamine – to treat allergy
In cases where blood pressure decreases, medicines that raise it may be used.
For Rh-incompatibility vigorous hydration may help. The use of bilirubin lights is another option. This type of incompatibility can be prevented however. Preventing it involves giving the mother special immune globulin, the Rh0(D) or RhoGAM. RhoGAM works by neutralizing the Rh-positive red blood cells of the fetus. This globulin is given at the mother’s mid term and within few days or 72 hours of delivery. It must be injected to Rh-positive mother in her every pregnancy, miscarriage and prenatal tests.
Erythroblastosis Fetalis Prognosis
The prognosis of erythroblastosis fetalis varies widely. Death may occur even before or after birth. But for most cases treatment is successful and babies do not develop life threatening complications. Screening the blood type and cautious monitoring may prevent symptoms from appearing. Yet some babies may have problems associated with deafness, mental retardation and speech problems. Other may have more serious problems like heart failure. In general there is low fatality rate.
Erythroblastosis fetalis is also referred to as hemolytic anemia of the fetus, immune hydrops fetalis and hemolytic disease of the newborn.
So if you are planning to get pregnant be sure to see your doctor regularly and have prenatal check up. Consult your physician on the screening processes that will aid in the diagnosis of erythroblastosis fetalis. Be cautious and vigilant all the time after all prevention is still better than cure.
