HDFN (Hemolytic Disease of the Fetus and Newborn) is a serious medical condition that can occur if the mother has an Rh-negative blood type and the baby has an Rh-positive blood type. If the mother has never been exposed to Rh-positive blood before, her body will create antibodies that can cross the placenta and attack the baby's red blood cells. This can lead to anemia, jaundice, and, in severe cases, death.
It is important for pregnant mothers to be screened for this condition early in their pregnancy so that appropriate treatments can be given if necessary. Treatment usually includes giving the mother Rh immune globulin (Rhogam) to prevent the body from making antibodies against the baby's blood. In cases of severe HDFN, the baby may require a blood transfusion in the womb or after delivery.
The severity of HDFN can vary depending on the amount of antibodies present in the mother's blood and the age of the baby. Babies born at full term typically have fewer complications than those born preterm. If the mother is Rh-negative and the baby is Rh-positive, the severity of HDFN will increase with each subsequent pregnancy.
