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Hemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN) is a serious medical condition that is caused by incompatibility between the blood of an Rh-negative pregnant woman and her Rh-positive fetus. HDN develops in the fetus when the IgG antibodies produced by the mother pass through the placenta and attack the red blood cells (RBCs) in the fetal circulation. Although HDN does not affect the mother, it can have serious consequences for her baby, such as:
- Anemia
- Jaundice
- Brain damage
- Heart failure
- Mortality
Of the 500,000 Rh-negative women who are pregnant each year, approximately 60% will have an Rh-positive baby.
Evolution of Preventive Treatment
Before the introduction of anti-D products such as Rhophylac®, babies who developed HDN in utero or at birth were at high risk for experiencing serious consequences.
Rh-Sensitization
Certain conditions can trigger the baby's blood cells to enter the mother's bloodstream, triggering the mother's immune system to develop antibodies against the antigens in the Rh-positive blood. This is called Rh-sensitization.
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