Fetal Hemolytic Disease: Prevention, Treatment, and Fetal Transfusion

Prevention and Treatment

WEB Recommendations for the prevention and treatment of haemolytic disease of the foetus and newborn.

Haemolytic disease of the foetus and newborn (HDFN) is a condition that occurs when the mother's immune system attacks the baby's red blood cells. This can happen if the mother and baby have different blood types. The most common type of HDFN is Rh incompatibility, which occurs when the mother is Rh-negative and the baby is Rh-positive.

HDFN can be prevented by giving the mother a vaccine called RhoGAM. RhoGAM is given during pregnancy and after delivery. It helps to prevent the mother's immune system from attacking the baby's red blood cells.

If HDFN does occur, there are a number of treatments available. These treatments include:

• Giving the mother blood transfusions to increase the baby's red blood cell count
• Performing a fetal blood transfusion
• Delivering the baby early

Fetal Blood Transfusion

Risks of a Fetal Transfusion

WEB What are the risks of a fetal transfusion According to the UK Blood Transfusion and Tissue Transplantation Service..

A fetal blood transfusion is a procedure used to treat anemia in the fetus. Fetal anemia occurs when the baby's blood does not have enough red blood cells. This can happen for a number of reasons, including:

• HDFN
• Parvovirus infection
• Cytomegalovirus infection

A fetal blood transfusion is a complex procedure that carries a number of risks, including:

• Bleeding
• Infection
• Premature delivery
• Stillbirth

The decision to perform a fetal blood transfusion is made on a case-by-case basis. The risks of the procedure must be weighed against the benefits of treating the fetal anemia.