Erythroblastosis fetalis, also known as hemolytic disease of the newborn, is a condition that occurs when a mother's Rh blood type is negative and her baby's is positive. The mother's immune system sees the baby's Rh positive red blood cells as foreign and produces antibodies against them. This can lead to hemolysis, or the destruction of the baby's red blood cells.

Here are the steps where haemolysis occurs in erythroblastosis fetalis:

1. Sensitization: The mother's immune system is exposed to the baby's Rh positive red blood cells. This can happen during pregnancy, childbirth, or through a blood transfusion. The mother's immune system sees these cells as foreign and produces antibodies against them.

2. Antibody Production: The mother's immune system produces Rh antibodies. These antibodies are able to cross the placenta and reach the baby's bloodstream.

3. Hemolysis: The Rh antibodies attach to the baby's Rh positive red blood cells and destroy them. This process is known as hemolysis.

4. Anemia: As a result of hemolysis, the baby can become anemic. This can lead to serious health problems, including heart failure, brain damage, and even death.

5. Erythroblastosis: In response to the anemia, the baby's body tries to make more red blood cells. However, these new cells, called erythroblasts, are immature and do not function properly. This condition is known as erythroblastosis fetalis.

6. Jaundice: The destruction of red blood cells produces a substance called bilirubin. High levels of bilirubin can cause the baby's skin and eyes to turn yellow, a condition known as jaundice.

In severe cases, erythroblastosis fetalis can be treated before birth by giving the mother Rh immune globulin or by performing a blood transfusion on the baby. After birth, the baby may need additional treatments, such as light therapy for jaundice or additional blood transfusions.

Question

Erythroblastosis fetalis, also known as hemolytic disease of the newborn, is a condition that occurs when a mother's Rh blood type is negative and her baby's is positive. The mother's immune system sees the baby's Rh positive red blood cells as foreign and produces antibodies against them. This can lead to hemolysis, or the destruction of the baby's red blood cells.

Here are the steps where haemolysis occurs in erythroblastosis fetalis:

1. Sensitization: The mother's immune system is exposed to the baby's Rh positive red blood cells. This can happen during pregnancy, childbirth, or through a blood transfusion. The mother's immune system sees these cells as foreign and produces antibodies against them.

2. Antibody Production: The mother's immune system produces Rh antibodies. These antibodies are able to cross the placenta and reach the baby's bloodstream.

3. Hemolysis: The Rh antibodies attach to the baby's Rh positive red blood cells and destroy them. This process is known as hemolysis.

4. Anemia: As a result of hemolysis, the baby can become anemic. This can lead to serious health problems, including heart failure, brain damage, and even death.

5. Erythroblastosis: In response to the anemia, the baby's body tries to make more red blood cells. However, these new cells, called erythroblasts, are immature and do not function properly. This condition is known as erythroblastosis fetalis.

6. Jaundice: The destruction of red blood cells produces a substance called bilirubin. High levels of bilirubin can cause the baby's skin and eyes to turn yellow, a condition known as jaundice.

In severe cases, erythroblastosis fetalis can be treated before birth by giving the mother Rh immune globulin or by performing a blood transfusion on the baby. After birth, the baby may need additional treatments, such as light therapy for jaundice or additional blood transfusions.

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