Erythroblastosis Fetalis

Abstract

Hemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN) is a collective phrase which includes several acquired hemolytic anemias, of which erythroblastosis fetalis is one. The term erythroblastosis fetalis, applies to Rh isoimmunization resulting in hemolysis, but the term focuses on aspects of the disease which are not always specific or present in each case. This chapter will therefore refer to HDN to describe red blood cell hemolytic anemias. In a very general and obvious way, hemolytic anemias in the newborn can be deleterious because they represent an increase in bilirubin formation at a time when the newborn liver may not be enzymatically equipped to conjugate the pigment, facilitating its excretion.