erythroblastosis fetalis

erythroblastosis fe·ta·lis -fi-'tal-əs n a hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn that is characterized by an increase in circulating erythroblasts and by jaundice and that occurs when the system of an Rh-negative mother produces antibodies to an antigen in the blood of an Rh-positive fetus which cross the placenta and destroy fetal red blood cells called also hemolytic disease of the newborn, Rh disease

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erythroblastosis neonatorum a type of hemolytic anemia of the fetus or newborn infant, caused by the transplacental transmission of maternally formed antibody, usually secondary to an incompatibility between the blood group of the mother and that of her offspring. The most common and frequently fatal type occurs when the baby or fetus is Rh positive and the mother is Rh negative. Another type is found in babies or fetuses of blood groups A and B whose mothers have type O blood; it is much milder than the Rh type because anti-A and anti-B antibodies only occasionally cross the placenta. Characteristics include accelerated destruction of erythrocytes, causing jaundice, increased red cell regeneration (nucleated red cells in the blood), and hepatosplenomegaly. In infants with severe jaundice, kernicterus may result. The most severe form is hydrops fetalis. Called also congenital or hemolytic anemia of newborn and hemolytic disease of newborn.