HAEMOLITIC DISEASE OF THE NEWBORN, AN IMMUNE COMPLICATION OF PREGNANCY STILL IN FORCE
ALESSIA DI FONZO *
Department of Pediatrics, Ospedale Civile di Chioggia, Chioggia, Italy
RICCARDO CONGIA
Department of Pediatrics, Ospedale Civile di Chioggia, Chioggia, Italy
MARIO LATTERE
Department of Pediatrics, Ospedale Civile di Chioggia, Chioggia, Italy
SAMANTA BEGGIO
Transfusional Service, Ospedale Civile di Chioggia, Chioggia, Italy
FEDERICA BOSCOLO MELA
Department of Pediatrics, Ospedale Civile di Chioggia, Chioggia, Italy
GIANLUCA GESSONI
Department of Transfusional Medicine, Venetian Area, Italy
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The Rhesus (Rh) blood type is one of the most complex and important blood groups in humans. Its assessment has remained a matter of primary importance in Neonatology, in order to prevent the hemolytic disease of the fetus and the newborn (HDFN). Anti-D antibodies cause the most severe form of HDFN, but there are also other Rh allo-antibodies capable of causing clinically severe HDFN. Hence, we report two cases of HDFN due to anti-Cw and anti-E antibodies, respectively, in which blood transfusion was needed because of important late-onset anemia.
Keywords: Rhesus (Rh) blood group, hemolytic disease of the newborn, allo-antibodies, direct globulin test