A “setup” for potential hemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN) occurs in two possible ways:
- When the mother is blood group O and the baby is blood group A, B, or AB. Remember this by thinking of mOm (blood group O) and bABy (blood group A, B, or AB)
- When the mother is Rh D negative and the baby is Rh D positive (this usually occurs when the baby is the second pregnancy of a Rh D negative mother)
HDN caused by ABO incompatibility is generally less severe than that caused by Rh incompatibility. Rh incompatibility is prevented by treating Rh negative mothers during the pregnancy.
Bryon J. Hyperbilirubinemia in the Newborn. Pediatrics in Review 2011; 32(8): 341-349.
Some foundational knowledge on bilirubin metabolism. Discusses physiologic versus pathologic hyperbilirubinemia. More focus on unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia (e.g. breast milk and breastfeeding jaundice).
Guidelines for the detection, management and prevention of hyperbilirubinemia in term and late preterm newborn infants
http://www.cps.ca/documents/position/hyperbilirubinemia-newborn
http://www.cps.ca/fr/documents/position/hyperbilirubinemie-nouveau-nes
Canadian Paediatric Society Position Statement (2007, 2011)
