Abstract
Rhesus (Rh) isoimmunization commonly presents with anemia and jaundice of varying intensity in the early postnatal period and is usually treated with phototherapy and exchange transfusion. Rarely, babies with mild or no symptoms at birth may present later with severe hemolytic anemia. This report describes a newborn infant with no postnatal jaundice who presented during the second week of life with severe anemia. These findings indicate the importance of regular follow-up and close monitoring of Rh-isoimmunized infants during the first two months of life for delayed onset anemia.
Highlights
These findings indicate the importance of regular follow-up and close monitoring of Rhisoimmunized infants during the first two months of life for delayed onset anemia
Hemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN) secondary to Rhesus (Rh) isoimmunization is caused by the transplacental channeling of maternal antibodies active against paternal Rh antigens of the infant and leading to hemolysis
Rh isoimmunization is responsible for neonatal anemia, which varies in severity from fetal hydrops in utero to mild-to-severe anemia during the immediate postnatal period [4]
Summary
Hemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN) secondary to Rhesus (Rh) isoimmunization is caused by the transplacental channeling of maternal antibodies active against paternal Rh antigens of the infant and leading to hemolysis This hemolysis can cause anemia during the intrauterine period and lead to jaundice and anemia of variable intensity after birth. This report describes a 14day-old infant born to an Rh-negative mother who presented with late-onset severe anemia in the absence of jaundice. A 14-day-old male newborn, weighing 3 kg, born of a nonconsanguineous marriage to a 25-year-old mother (gravida four, para three) by normal vaginal delivery, presented with severe anemia. The infant was discharged on day 24 with hemoglobin of 13.6 g/dL and a negative result on a direct Coombs test. Follow-up visits after one week and monthly for two months showed that the child was thriving well and his hemoglobin concentrations were within the reference range
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
