In: Nursing
After the birth of Martha’s second child, she was informed that her newborn had jaundice. The doctor suspects Hemolytic Disease of the Newborn (HDN). What is jaundice and how could the baby have developed it? Describe both HDN and ABO hemolytic disease of the newborn i.e. what causes them to occur and how do they present? Explain TWO differences and TWO similarities between the two diseases and then, discuss prevention and treatments available for the two diseases.
Reminder: Show critical thinking. Support your opinions with scientific evidence (in initial response and response to your classmates). Provide citations for the information you discuss.
1.What is jaundice and how could the baby have developed it?
Neonatal jaundice is a yellowish discoloration of the white part of the eyes and skin in a newborn baby due to high bilirubin levels. Other symptoms may include excess sleepiness or poor feeding.
This is known as hyperbilirubinaemia. Bilirubin is a yellow substance produced when red blood cells, which carry oxygen around the body, are broken down. The bilirubin travels in the bloodstream to the liver.
2. Describe both HDN and ABO hemolytic disease of the newborn i.e. what causes them to occur and how do they present?
Hemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN) is a blood disorder in a fetus or newborn infant. In some infants, it can be fatal. Normally, red blood cells (RBCs) last for about 120 days in the body. In this disorder, RBCs in the blood are destroyed quickly and thus do not last as long.
HDN occurs when your baby's red blood cells break down at a fast rate. HDN happens when an Rh negative mother has a baby with an Rh positive father. If the Rh negative mother has been sensitized to Rh positive blood, her immune system will make antibodies to attack her baby.
In ABO hemolytic disease of the newborn (also known as ABO HDN) maternal IgG antibodies with specificity for the ABO blood group system pass through the placenta to the fetal circulation where they can cause hemolysis of fetal red blood cells which can lead to fetal anemia and HDN
ABO incompatibility happens when a mother's blood type is O, and her baby's blood type is A or B. The mother's immune system may react and make antibodies against her baby's red blood cells. The consequences and treatment are similar to Rhesus disease
3.Explain TWO differences and TWO similarities between the two diseases and then, discuss prevention and treatments available for the two diseases.
n Rh incompatibility, maternal IgG antibodies form after maternal exposure to fetal Rh-positive blood during birth or pregnancy-related complications (e.g., fetomaternal hemorrhage). ... ABO incompatibility, on the other hand, rarely presents with complications and does not require immunoglobulin prophylaxis.
4.Rh incompatibility treatment
Treatment focuses on preventing the effects of the incompatibility. In mild cases, the baby can be treated after birth with:
5.prevention