Antibodies causing haemolytic diseas of the new born

A very specific and interesting topic!

Haemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN) is a condition that occurs when a newborn baby's red blood cells are destroyed by the mother's antibodies. This can happen when the mother has antibodies against the baby's blood type, which is different from her own.

Here are some ways in which antibodies can cause HDN:

  1. Rh incompatibility: The most common cause of HDN is Rh incompatibility. The Rh blood group system is a set of antigens present on the surface of red blood cells. If a mother is Rh-negative and the baby is Rh-positive, her immune system may produce antibodies against the Rh antigen. These antibodies can cross the placenta and destroy the baby's Rh-positive red blood cells, leading to HDN.
  2. ABO incompatibility: ABO incompatibility is another type of HDN caused by antibodies. The ABO blood group system is another set of antigens present on red blood cells. If a mother is A or B and the baby is O or AB, her immune system may produce antibodies against the baby's A or B antigens. These antibodies can also cross the placenta and destroy the baby's red blood cells.
  3. Kell incompatibility: Kell incompatibility is a less common cause of HDN. The Kell blood group system is a set of antigens present on red blood cells. If a mother is K-negative and the baby is K-positive, her immune system may produce antibodies against the K antigen, leading to HDN.
  4. Other blood group incompatibilities: Other blood group incompatibilities, such as Duffy, MNS, and P blood group incompatibilities, can also cause HDN.

The symptoms of HDN can vary in severity and may include:

Treatment for HDN usually involves exchange transfusions, which involve replacing the baby's blood with blood that is compatible with the mother's antibodies. In severe cases, HDN can be life-threatening, but with prompt treatment, most babies can recover fully.