Question
What is Neonatal Hemolytic Disease?
Answer
Neonatal hemolytic disease occurs when a newborn’s red blood cells are destroyed by immune reactions, leading to anemia. This condition usually arises when there is a mismatch in blood types between the mother and the baby, most frequently when the mother is O-type and the baby is A-type or B-type. This situation triggers the production of antibodies in the baby’s body that attack the red blood cells, resulting in hemolysis. In severe cases, this can lead to serious health problems, even posing a risk to life.