In: Nursing
Explain Hemolytic disease (Erythroblastosis fetalis) of the newborn and the rationale for treatment.
Hemolytic disease of the newborn is also reffered to as erythroblastosis fetalis. It is disease that occours to new born . It occurs due to incompatibility in blood type of the mother and baby.
"Hemolytic" - breaking down of red blood cells
"Erythroblastosis" - production of immature red blood cells
"Fetalis" - fetus
Erythroblastosis fetalis is severe conditions in which blood contain a factor called Rh factor .it is an inherited protein which are present on the surface of blood cells .It is present only in some individuals not everyone .
If the protein is present then individual is Rh positive and if it is absent then Rh negative.
Condition
1) If the mother is Rh negative and the fetus is Rh positive. Then it lead to Rh incompatibility and can cause complications in the pregnancy.
2) It can also occur when different Rh factor blood types mix during pregnancy.
This occours when the blood of mother mixes with fetus during pregnancy .It occours as results of
1) due to detachment of placenta from the utrine wall during delivery.
2) internal bleeding during pregnancy
3)manual rotation of a breech baby
4) abortion
5)ectopic pregnancy
When a woman having Rh-negative blood and a man with Rh-positive blood . When the women conceives a fetus with Rh-positive blood is produced . During delivery the blood get mixed and the mothers blood produces antibodies . The antibodies pass through the placenta destroy the blood cells of newborn .
Rationale for the treatment
It is a preventable condition of newborn
Rh immunoglobulin (Rhig), also reffered to as RhoGAM is the well known medication used to treat the condition .
It helps in preventing the Rh sensitization. It helps the mother to prevent the production of Rh- positive antibodies.