The New and the Old -- Molecular Diagnostics and Hemolytic Disease of the Newborn

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Abstract
Hemolytic disease of the newborn occurs as a result of sensitization of the mother's immune system to red-cell antigens of the fetus. This sensitization results from the transplacental passage of fetal red cells possessing an antigen that is not present on maternal red cells. The IgG antibodies produced by the mother in response to the foreign antigen cross the placenta into the fetal circulation, bind to the red cells there, and destroy them. As a consequence of the hemolytic process, there is both extramedullary hematopoiesis and reticuloendothelial clearance of sensitized fetal cells, leading to hepatic and splenic enlargement. As the . . .

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