SEE WHY KNOWING YOUR BLOOD GROUP ALSO MATTER IN MARRIAGE (PART 3)

Once Haemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN) is diagnosed, treatment may be needed.

During pregnancy, treatment for HDN may include:

• Intrauterine blood transfusion of red blood cells into the baby's circulation. This is done by placing a needle through the mother's uterus and into the abdominal cavity of the fetus or directly into the vein in the umbilical cord. It may be necessary to give a sedative medication to keep the baby from moving. Intrauterine transfusions may need to be repeated.

• Early delivery if the fetus develops complications. If the fetus has mature lungs, labor and delivery may be induced to prevent worsening of HDN.

After birth, treatment may include:

• Blood transfusions (for severe anemia)

• Intravenous fluids (for low blood pressure)

• Help for respiratory distress using oxygen, surfactant,  or a mechanical breathing machine

• Exchange transfusion to replace the baby's damaged blood with fresh blood. The exchange transfusion helps increase the red blood cell count and lower the levels of bilirubin. An exchange transfusion is done by alternating giving and withdrawing blood in small amounts through a vein or artery. Exchange transfusions may need to be repeated if the bilirubin levels remain high.

• Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG). IVIG is a solution made from blood plasma that contains antibodies to help the baby's immune system. IVIG may help reduce the breakdown of red blood cells and lower bilirubin levels.  

Prevention                                                                                    

Fortunately, HDN is a very preventable disease. Because of the advances in prenatal care, nearly all women with Rh negative blood are identified in early pregnancy by blood testing. If a mother is Rh negative and has not been sensitized, she is usually given a drug called Rh immunoglobulin (RhIg), also known as RhoGAM. This is a specially developed blood product that can prevent an Rh negative mother's antibodies from being able to react to Rh positive cells. Many women are given RhoGAM around the 28th week of pregnancy. After the baby is born, a woman should receive a second dose of the drug within 72 hours, if her baby is Rh positive. If her baby is Rh negative, she does not need another dose.