Discuss hemolytic disease of the newborn.

Hemolytic disease of the newborn results from Rh incompatibility between an Rh- woman and her Rh+ baby. With delivery of the first such infant, the mother's blood becomes sensitized by the Rh+ antigens of the infant and she begins forming anti-Rh+ antibodies. With the second and subsequent pregnancies, in which the woman carries Rh+ infants, the mother's antibodies cross the placenta and destroy the baby's RBCs. The baby becomes anemic and hypoxic, and brain damage and death may result unless fetal transfusions are performed. Prevention of problems in future pregnancies involves treatment of the Rh- woman with RhoGAM upon the birth of her first child to prevent sensitization and anti-Rh antibody formation.