Hemolytic Disease of the Newborn
Hemolytic disease of the newborn (also called erythroblastosis fetalis) is a serious condition that may occur when the blood types of a mother and her baby do not match. Substances (antibodies) in the mother's blood cross the placenta and may destroy the red blood cells of the fetus.
After birth, a baby with hemolytic disease may be treated with a blood transfusion.
Current as of:
May 12, 2017
Author:
Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:
Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine & Sarah A. Marshall, MD - Family Medicine & Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine & John Pope, MD, MPH - Pediatrics