Question
If a newborn is diagnosed with ABO hemolytic disease, what should parents do? Do they need to seek medical attention immediately?
Answer
ABO hemolytic disease in newborns is a congenital immunohemolytic disease caused by incompatibility between maternal and fetal blood types, with ABO incompatibility being the most common. Symptoms can vary in severity, with those with ABO incompatibility generally experiencing milder symptoms than those with Rh incompatibility. Affected infants may develop jaundice within 24 hours or the next day after birth, which can rapidly worsen, accompanied by anemia, enlargement of the liver and spleen, and in severe cases, may lead to bilirubin encephalopathy. Infants with Rh incompatibility leading to significant hemolysis may already have severe anemia at birth, and may even trigger heart failure, generalized edema, or stillbirth. For newborns with ABO hemolytic disease, it is recommended that parents seek medical assistance immediately to receive necessary examinations and treatments promptly. Doctors may provide appropriate treatment plans, including but not limited to phototherapy, blood transfusions, or other supportive treatments, to alleviate symptoms and prevent complications.