Page 437 - Essential Haematology

Chapter 30 Pregnancy and neonatal haematology / 423

■ Neonates have higher haemoglobin levels Rh anti - D to RhD - negative mothers at the

than adults. Anaemia at birth is usually time of exposure to RhD - positive fetal cells
caused by haemorrhage or immune or blood products.

haemolysis. ■ ABO haemolytic disease of the newborn is

■ Haemolytic disease of the newborn is now more frequent. It is usually mild and

brought about by RhD antibodies made by may occur in the fi rst pregnancy. It is most
a RhD - negative mother crossing the frequently caused by group O mothers
placenta. It may cause death of the fetus making immune IgG antibodies (which
(hydrops fetalis) or haemolytic anaemia. It cross the placenta) against a group A or B
is now rare because of administration of fetus.

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