HAEMOLYTIC DISEASE OF THE FETUS AND NEWBORN (HDFN) – CASE REPORT

Authors

  • Irena Bricl Zavod Republike Slovenije za transfuzijsko medicino Šlajmerjeva 6 1000 Ljubljana
  • Ksenija Ogrizek-Pelkič Služba za ginekologijo in perinatologijo Oddelek za perinatologijo Splošna bolnišnica Maribor Ljubljanska 5 2000 Maribor
  • Andrej Vogler Ginekološka klinika Klinični center Šlajmerjeva 3 1525 Ljubljana

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.6016/ZdravVestn.1890

Keywords:

RhD immunization, hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn, prevention of RhD immunization, anti-D antibody titer, test ADCC, exchange transfusion, case report

Abstract

Background. Hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN) develops because of the passage of maternal erythrocyte alloantibodies through the placenta. These antibodies cause a reduction of the erythrocyte life span in the fetus and newborn. This severe form of the disease is most commonly caused by anti-D antibodies. Besides those, the hemolytic disease can also be caused by anti-K, anti-c, anti-E, anti-A, anti-B and some other antibodies.

Methods and material. A case of a pregnant woman who has been pregnant four times is presented. During the first pregnancy, she developed anti-D erythrocyte antibodies, and after the third pregnancy also additional anti-C antibodies. During the first pregnancy, hemolytic disease of fetus led to the intrauterine death of the fetus. The second child died one day after birth. The third and fourth fetuses required several intrauterine exchange transfusions due to high titers and great hemolytic activity of anti-D antibodies. In both newborns, exchange transfusions had to be performed after birth, and both received additional transfusions of concentrated erythrocytes because of anemia.

Conclusions. HDFN is a severe disorder that can be successfully prevented with appropriate legalized measures.

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Professional Article

How to Cite

1.
HAEMOLYTIC DISEASE OF THE FETUS AND NEWBORN (HDFN) – CASE REPORT. ZdravVestn [Internet]. 2003 Dec. 7 [cited 2024 Nov. 2];72(12). Available from: https://vestnik.szd.si/index.php/ZdravVest/article/view/1890

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