title: Irregular antibodies causing hemolytic disease of the newborn.
abstract: The known antigens associated with hemolytic disease of the newborn along with the degree of severity of the disease caused by each antigen are presented in Table 13. The genotype frequencies for the major blood groups have been presented in the text. It is hoped that this information will help the clinician in managing sensitization to irregular antibodies and in predicting the likelihood of future affected siblings. Proper periodic screening of the antenatal patient for irregular antibodies can alert the physician to a potential problem with hemolytic disease and alert the laboratory so that time is available to find acceptable donors. One should always remember that autologous blood transfusion can be used if time is available to obtain the blood. When the antenatal patient with an irregular antibody presents, the husband should be tested for the presence of the antigen. If present, the physician should determine the severity of the disease that can be caused by this antibody and manage the patient appropriately. It is hoped that with good antenatal care, the morbidity and mortality of hemolytic disease of the newborn can be diminished.
mesh_terms: D001789:Blood Group Antigens; D004375:Duffy Blood-Group System; D004899:Erythroblastosis, Fetal / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007518:Isoantibodies / Q000032:analysis; D007626:Kell Blood-Group System; D007667:Kidd Blood-Group System; D007983:Lewis Blood Group Antigens; D008188:Lutheran Blood-Group System; D008951:MNSs Blood-Group System; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D012730:Sex Chromosomes
chemical_list: D001789:Blood Group Antigens; D004375:Duffy Blood-Group System; D007518:Isoantibodies; D007626:Kell Blood-Group System; D007667:Kidd Blood-Group System; D007983:Lewis Blood Group Antigens; D008188:Lutheran Blood-Group System; D008951:MNSs Blood-Group System