Pregnancy is undoubtedly a period when a woman’s concern for her body increases greatly. Because it is a delicate time when many diseases can arise, it is necessary to know about each of them and learn how to prevent them, especially since many women are not familiar with conditions like fetal erythroblastosis, for example.

What is Fetal Erythroblastosis?

Also known as Rhesus disease or hemolytic disease of the newborn, fetal erythroblastosis is a condition that affects the baby when a mother with Rh negative (-) blood gives birth to a child with Rh positive (+) blood. In short, we can say that fetal erythroblastosis is the disease that causes the destruction of the baby’s red blood cells during pregnancy or at childbirth. In the vast majority of cases, the disease only manifests from the second child conceived by the mother, and this has a very simple explanation.

How Does Fetal Erythroblastosis Occur?

When the mother has her first child, her blood typically does not come into contact with the baby’s, so the differences in Rh factors are not detected by her body. This contact between the bloods occurs only at the time of birth, which is when the mother’s body recognizes a different type of blood and identifies it as something harmful or a sign of danger. From that moment, it is natural for the woman’s body to create antibodies to fight that unknown type of blood. Therefore, when a second pregnancy occurs where the baby also has Rh positive blood, the mother’s body will immediately attack that “invader” or “intruder” organism. If this happens, several measures need to be taken to prevent severe consequences. A mother with Rh negative blood has a child with Rh positive blood when the father is also Rh positive, which is why it is very important to perform a blood typing test on the father at the beginning of pregnancy, so the doctor can assess the chances of erythroblastosis fetalis happening during gestation.

Consequences of Fetal Erythroblastosis

Fetal erythroblastosis is a disease that can be treated, but it can also bring various serious consequences if not treated or if treated incorrectly. The main consequences that fetal erythroblastosis can cause are:

  • Anemia
  • Miscarriage
  • Death of the Baby
  • Jaundice

Anemia

One of the most worrying consequences of fetal erythroblastosis is the anemia the baby may develop after birth. This usually occurs because, during childbirth, if the mother and baby have not been properly treated, there is a large destruction of red blood cells, which ends up causing often severe anemia in the newborn, which is extremely dangerous. In response to this anemia, the baby’s body ends up producing immature red blood cells, called erythroblasts (hence the name of the disease).

Miscarriage

Miscarriage caused by fetal erythroblastosis happens because the mother’s body ends up attacking some of the baby’s cells. The antibodies produced by the mother, already during the second pregnancy, cause the destruction of the baby’s red blood cells, making it impossible for the baby to survive in her womb.

Death of the Baby

The baby’s death can occur as a result of complications from the problems mentioned above, especially if the baby survives exposure to the mother’s antibodies but is born very weak or anemic, which can ultimately be fatal. It is important to remember that, even though there are severe consequences like this, fetal erythroblastosis can be prevented.

Jaundice

Jaundice is a syndrome caused by the accumulation of bilirubin, a substance produced in the liver from the hemoglobin of destroyed red blood cells. It is characterized by yellowish skin coloration, as this is the color of bilirubin. Despite all these consequences, there are some exceptions. These reactions are less aggressive when the baby has the A or B antigen and the mother does not. Also, there is the possibility of delivering the baby before these consequences affect the baby, which is possible in most cases when the mother’s sensitization is mild.

How to Prevent Fetal Erythroblastosis?

The first and most important thing to do is to carry out a blood typing test of both the mother and the father. This will indicate whether there is a chance of fetal erythroblastosis occurring or not. If there is a risk, steps to prevent the consequences must be taken immediately. The anti-D immunoglobulin injection is the most effective way to prevent the mother’s body from producing antibodies against the second child she conceives. It is usually given during the first pregnancy, thus preventing the mother’s exposure to the baby’s blood at birth from triggering the immune reaction. Nevertheless, there is also the possibility of administering the injection three days after birth or even in the second pregnancy, to avoid major consequences for the baby after birth. There is also the possibility of performing an intrauterine transfusion during pregnancy to treat anemia before birth, though this option is less preferred because of the risks associated with direct contact between the mother’s and baby’s blood. As mentioned before, the option of inducing early delivery to avoid attacks also exists, but this is a delicate decision the obstetrician makes only when there are significant risks to the baby’s health. Although it is somewhat rare, fetal erythroblastosis can harm a pregnant woman and her baby in many ways. That is why it is so important to be familiar with all types of diseases that can affect women during this phase, as mentioned at the beginning of the article, and to understand how to prevent or minimize the consequences of such diseases. It is important to understand that this and other similar conditions can be treated and their effects lessened, but for that to happen, certain steps must be taken. With awareness of what to do in such cases, it becomes easier to deal with diseases like fetal erythroblastosis, even though it is something that initially frightens most women. Also read: Pains in Pregnancy – What is Normal? Photo: Mysticsardesign