WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT HEMOLYTIC DISEASE IN NEWBORNS
Hemolytic Disease also known as Erythroblastosis fetalis or Blood Incompatibility is a kind of blood disorder caused in a fetus or newborn. In general, the Red Blood Cells (RBC) last for about 120 days in the human body but when the infant suffers from Hemolytic Disease the breakdown of RBCs takes place at a faster rate leading to the formation of immature RBCs in the infant that does not last for long. If not treated properly it may be deadly in some infants.
SOURCE OF HDN
The main cause of HDN is when the mother carrying the baby has a different blood type from the fetus. We all know there are four major blood groups – A, B, AB, and O with Rh factor present in our blood that can either be negative or positive. The problem occurs when the mother has an Rh-negative factor and the father has an Rh-positive factor. At the time of pregnancy, the mixing of cells takes place through the placenta. The immune system of the mother sees the RBC of the fetus as foreign and starts developing antibodies against RBC. This leads to the breakage of RBC at a quicker rate.
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WHAT CAUSES AN INCREASE IN INR LEVEL?
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COMMON SYMPTOMS
- Swelling on the entire body of the newborn
- Trouble breathing
- The body looks pale
- Jaundice, that can be fatal.
MEDICAL CARE FOR HDN
- Injecting antibodies in the newborn for the protection of RBCs.
- Blood transfusion in advance cases.
- Frequent feeding is suggested.
- Regular checkups and follow up by health care providers.
VITAMIN K DEFICIENCY IN NEWBORNS
When newborns are born with a lack of Vitamin K, it leads to a bleeding disorder. Vitamin K fails to reach the baby’s blood as it faces difficulty in passing through the placenta. If a blood thinner such as WARFARIN is taken during pregnancy it may cause an early onset of Vitamin K deficiency in infants. Therefore, it is advised to avoid blood-thinning medications during pregnancy. Patients who are prescribed Anticoagulants are asked to regularly monitor their PT/INR ratio. With the help of a PATIENT SELF-TESTING KIT, it is now more convenient to test and get the results in seconds. Patients can easily perform the test with a PT/INR METER (portable and cost-effective) at home.