Hemolytic Disease of the Newborn

Hemolytic Disease of the Newborn (HDN) occurs when a mother's immune system mistakenly attacks her baby's red blood cells. This usually happens when the mother has a different blood type than her baby, most commonly involving Rh factor incompatibility. The mother's body produces antibodies against the baby's blood cells, leading to their destruction. This can cause anemia, jaundice, or more serious complications in the newborn. HDN is often preventable with prenatal care, including a shot called Rh immunoglobulin, which helps prevent the immune response that leads to the disease.