Fetomaternal conditions
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Pregnant mothers could produce IgG antibodies that cross the placenta and may attack the baby's red cells or platelets |
There are fetomaternal conditions in which transfusion of blood components or fractionated products is especially important.
Pregnant mothers produce IgG red cell antibodies, which can cross the placenta and destroy the baby’s red cells, causing haemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN).
HDN has devastating effects to the fetus and newborn, such as severe anaemia or neurological damage; thus, requires effective care and specialist skills.
Another rare but potentially serious condition that causes bleeding in the newborn is neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopaenia (NAIT).
NAIT is caused by the mother's IgG alloantibodies against the baby's platelet specific alloantigen. The fetus and newborn are at risk of thrombocytopaenia and intracranial haemorrhage.
