What is ABO hemolytic disease?
Disease description:
When picking up medication at the hospital, I overheard a doctor mentioning ABO hemolytic disease. I have never heard of it before and would like to know, what does ABO hemolytic disease mean?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Liu Feng
ABO hemolytic disease, also known as ABO incompatibility, is a type of hemolytic disease in newborns caused by ABO blood group incompatibility between the mother and fetus. This condition commonly occurs when the mother has blood type O and the fetus has blood type A or B. In the ABO blood group system, the plasma of individuals with blood type O contains anti-A and anti-B antibodies. When these antibodies encounter the antigens on the fetal red blood cell surfaces, a hemolytic reaction may occur.
The main symptoms of ABO hemolytic disease include jaundice, anemia, and hepatosplenomegaly, with jaundice being the most characteristic manifestation. Newborns may develop noticeable skin jaundice within 24 to 48 hours after birth, and the condition can rapidly worsen. In severe cases, jaundice may lead to kernicterus, which can affect the infant's intellectual development and neurological function.
Treatment for ABO hemolytic disease mainly includes medication, phototherapy with blue light, and blood transfusion therapy.
