Oblivious of the yellow world – A newborn's telltale: ABO hemolytic disease of newborn

Abstract

The increased destruction of fetal red cells can be immune (allo- or autoantibodies) or nonimmune (hemoglobinopathies, enzyme defects, and membrane defects) in nature and can cause shortened life span of red cells leading to hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn. Maternofetal ABO incompatibility is common but rarely leads to severe anemia due to poorly developed A or B antigens on fetal red blood cells and neutralization of antibody by tissue and soluble ABO blood group substances in plasma, while RhD hemolytic disease of newborn (HDN) occurring due to D-antigen sensitization in D-negative mothers may lead to severe HDN. Here, we report a case of an inborn neonate who was admitted in neonatal intensive care unit of our hospital at day 1 of life with severe hyperbilirubinemia and needed exchange transfusion.

Keywords

• ABO incompatibility
• hemolytic disease
• hyperbilirubinemia