The purpose of this blog post is to provide a straightforward overview of ABO incompatibility, including its causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.
Causes
The ABO incompatibility occurs when a mother's blood type differs from her baby's. For example, if a mother has blood type O and her baby has blood type A, B, or AB, the mother's immune system may produce antibodies against the baby's blood cells.
Symptoms
ABO incompatibility in newborns can cause the following symptoms:
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An excess of bilirubin in the blood causes yellowing of the skin and eyes.
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Lethargy and pale skin are symptoms of anemia.
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As a result of the destruction of red blood cells, the spleen may become enlarged.
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In severe cases, babies may have difficulty breathing due to low oxygen levels in the blood.
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Babies with ABO incompatibility may have difficulty feeding and may gain weight slowly.
Diagnosis
When symptoms are present in a newborn, ABO incompatibility is typically diagnosed through blood tests. These tests may include:
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The Direct Coombs Test detects antibodies on the surface of the red blood cells of a baby.
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This test measures the level of antibodies in the mother's blood that may be attacking her baby's red blood cells.
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A complete blood count (CBC) can reveal low levels of red blood cells and high levels of bilirubin in a newborn.
Treatment
Treatment options for ABO incompatibility vary according to the severity of the condition.
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Phototherapy involves exposing the baby's skin to special lights that break down bilirubin and reduce jaundice.
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Anemia or jaundice can lead to a blood transfusion, which replaces the baby's red blood cells.
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A baby may be given intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) to reduce the destruction of red blood cells caused by antibodies from the mother.
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When there is severe ABO incompatibility, an exchange transfusion may be performed to replace the baby's blood with compatible blood.
Prevention
Certain measures can help reduce the risk of ABO incompatibility, but preventing it is not always possible:
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Identifying potential ABO incompatibilities early can be achieved by knowing both the mother's and the baby's blood types.
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It is important to monitor the baby's bilirubin levels and jaundice symptoms to detect ABO incompatibility and initiate treatment as soon as possible.
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Rhogam Injection: Rh-negative mothers may receive a Rhogam injection during pregnancy or after delivery to prevent Rh incompatibility, which can cause similar complications.
