Question
What are the potential complications that may occur after the treatment of neonatal Rh hemolytic disease? Are there any effective treatment methods?
Answer
The treatment for neonatal Rh hemolytic disease includes planned induction of labor and blood transfusion. For cases with mild symptoms, transfusion of serologically compatible blood can help correct anemia; for more severe cases, blood transfusion is required. Blood transfusion not only replaces the fetal red blood cells covered by antibodies but also clears excessive bilirubin and anti-Rh antibodies from the blood and tissues. Adding albumin to the transfused blood can increase bilirubin clearance. Even if the infant is Rh-positive, the transfused red blood cells should be Rh-negative to prevent the transfused red blood cells from being destroyed by residual anti-Rh antibodies, avoiding new hemolysis and exacerbating jaundice.