Author:

Abstract:

The clinical picture of the newborn with hemolytic disease, due to maternal antibodies has changed in the past decades. Treatment is directed at two goals: treatment of anaemia and hyperbilirubinemia. Exchange transfusion is an invasive procedure that treats both aspects of the disease, but is associated with possible severe adverse events. Administration of high dose intravenous immunoglobulins (HDIVIG) in combination with intensive phototherapy is an alternative treatment option. Infants receiving HDIVIG need to be monitored for late anaemia during the first three months of life. After multiple intrauterine transfusions the clinical picture at birth can be different. Acute hemolysis occurs less, but there is an increased risk of later hyporegenerative anaemia with low reticulocyte counts and low erythropoietin levels. In these cases treatment with recombinant erythropoietin may be an option.