Infants affected by hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN) can require multiple blood transfusions during pregnancy and after birth. Transfusions replace red blood cells that are destroyed by maternal antibodies, treating symptoms of anemia and preventing serious complications.
Donated blood is crucial to keeping blood supplies stable so that it can be used in saving the lives of fetuses and newborns affected by HDFN.
What is HDFN?
Hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN) is an immune-mediated red blood cell disorder that occurs when a baby’s RBCs break down quickly, which is called hemolysis. HDFN is caused by a mismatch between a mother’s and her baby’s blood type (A, B, AB, or O) or Rhesus (Rh) factor (Rh-positive or Rh-negative) during pregnancy.
Where donated blood is used in HDFN
During an HDFN-affected pregnancy, a Rh-positive fetus can suffer from severe anemia due to maternal antibodies that attack the fetal red blood cells. Intrauterine transfusions are life-saving procedures administered to treat anemia and prevent serious complications, such as hydrops fetalis and heart failure. They replace the depleted red blood cells with blood donated by a donor compatible with the fetus’s blood type and factor.
Learn more about HDFN treatment and care
After delivery, a newborn with HDFN often suffers from anemia and jaundice as the maternal antibodies break down the baby’s red blood cells. Blood transfusions or exchange transfusions with donated blood from compatible donors can be the difference between life and death. If left untreated, these conditions can lead to severe symptoms with long-term consequences or death.
What kind of blood is needed?
Blood transfusions are used in life-threatening medical situations in cases of blood loss due to surgery, injury, blood disorders, cancer treatments and in HDFN, anemia. When a patient needs a blood transfusion, the blood types and factors need to be carefully matched to avoid a severe immune reaction.
Here are the eight most common blood types: A+, A-, B+, B-, O+, O-, AB+, AB-
- Type A blood can be given to A and AB recipients.
- Type B blood can be given to B and AB recipients.
- Type O blood can be given to all recipients.
- Type AB blood can be given to AB recipients.
- Rh-negative blood can be given to Rh-negative recipients.
- Both Rh-negative and Rh-positive blood can be given to Rh-positive recipients.
The universal blood type is O-negative and is the most widely used. It is also most often used in emergency medical situations and is the most common blood sought by blood banks. It has no antigens and cannot trigger an immune response, meaning it can be given to people of any blood type. Only 7% of the population are O-negative, so it is relatively rare.
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