Questions and Answers
What is the primary cause of haemolysis of foetal Rh-positive RBCs in RH isoimmunization?
Passage of anti Rh antibodies from maternal to foetal circulation
What is the characteristic of congenital haemolytic anaemia?
Anaemia develops 2 weeks after birth
What is the primary cause of jaundice in icterus gravis neonatorum?
Inability of the foetal liver to conjugate bilirubin
What is the characteristic of kernicterus?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the characteristic of hydrops fetalis?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the characteristic of the placenta in hydrops fetalis?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the characteristic of the foetus in hydrops fetalis as shown by ultrasound?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the fate of the newborn in hydrops fetalis?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the main reason for hepatosplenomegaly in RH isoimmunization?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the critical level of bilirubin that can lead to kernicterus?
Signup and view all the answers
Why is the newborn not jaundiced at birth in icterus gravis neonatorum?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the characteristic attitude of the foetus in hydrops fetalis as seen by ultrasound?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the primary cause of heart failure in hydrops fetalis?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the characteristic feature of congenital haemolytic anaemia?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the consequence of bilirubin crossing the blood-brain barrier in RH isoimmunization?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the characteristic feature of Erythroblastosis fetalis?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
RH Isoimmunization
- Haemolysis of foetal Rh-positive RBCs occurs due to the passage of anti-Rh antibodies from maternal to foetal circulation in a previously sensitized pregnant woman.
Congenital Haemolytic Anaemia
- Mildest form of RH isoimmunization
- Haemolysis results in foetal anaemia that develops 2 weeks after birth
- Erythroblasts (immature nucleated RBCs) are produced due to a faster rate of erythropoiesis
Icterus Gravis Neonatorum
- Commonest and moderate form of RH isoimmunization
- Baby is delivered anaemic but not jaundiced at birth
- Placenta carries on the function of conjugating foetal bilirubin
- Hepatosplenomegaly is present due to faster erythropoiesis
- Jaundice develops within 48 hours after birth due to the inability of the foetal liver to conjugate the high amount of bilirubin produced
- Kernicterus develops when foetal bilirubin level exceeds 20 mg%
- Bilirubin crosses the blood-brain barrier and becomes deposited in the basal ganglia of the brain stem, leading to a serious condition that may cause neonatal death or mental retardation
Hydrops Fetalis
- Severest form of RH isoimmunization
- Intrauterine foetal death usually occurs due to severe haemolytic anaemia leading to heart failure
- If the baby is born alive, it dies within a few hours
- Foetus shows generalized oedema, pleural effusion, and ascites due to heart failure
- Hepatosplenomegaly is present
- Placenta is large and oedematous
- Foetus shows the "Buddha" attitude (by ultrasound) due to flexion of the thighs and abdominal distension and a halo around the skull due to scalp oedema
RH Isoimmunization
- Haemolysis of foetal Rh-positive RBCs occurs due to the passage of anti-Rh antibodies from maternal to foetal circulation in a previously sensitized pregnant woman.
Congenital Haemolytic Anaemia
- Mildest form of RH isoimmunization
- Haemolysis results in foetal anaemia that develops 2 weeks after birth
- Erythroblasts (immature nucleated RBCs) are produced due to a faster rate of erythropoiesis
Icterus Gravis Neonatorum
- Commonest and moderate form of RH isoimmunization
- Baby is delivered anaemic but not jaundiced at birth
- Placenta carries on the function of conjugating foetal bilirubin
- Hepatosplenomegaly is present due to faster erythropoiesis
- Jaundice develops within 48 hours after birth due to the inability of the foetal liver to conjugate the high amount of bilirubin produced
- Kernicterus develops when foetal bilirubin level exceeds 20 mg%
- Bilirubin crosses the blood-brain barrier and becomes deposited in the basal ganglia of the brain stem, leading to a serious condition that may cause neonatal death or mental retardation
Hydrops Fetalis
- Severest form of RH isoimmunization
- Intrauterine foetal death usually occurs due to severe haemolytic anaemia leading to heart failure
- If the baby is born alive, it dies within a few hours
- Foetus shows generalized oedema, pleural effusion, and ascites due to heart failure
- Hepatosplenomegaly is present
- Placenta is large and oedematous
- Foetus shows the "Buddha" attitude (by ultrasound) due to flexion of the thighs and abdominal distension and a halo around the skull due to scalp oedema
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
