ABO incompatibility, also known as ABO blood type incompatibility, is a neonatal complication where the blood type of the mother does not match the blood type of the unborn baby. This condition can further be categorized as a haemolytic disease of the newborn because it ultimately affects the baby and not the mother.
ABO incompatibility can cause jaundice, anaemia, and other blood-related problems in babies. If left untreated, ABO incompatibility can be life-threatening to the newborn baby due to blood-related issues. Therefore, it is imperative that you know if your blood type is compatible with your babies so that you can receive the necessary treatment.
The reason that ABO incompatibility is so dangerous is because it can cause an immune reaction in the mother that impacts the child. The mother’s immune system detects foreign blood and releases antibodies that can attack the baby’s blood, resulting in a breakdown of the red blood cells and production of bilirubin.
In some situations where the baby’s health is at risk because of ABO incompatibility, they will need a blood transfusion. Blood transfusions are where your baby’s blood is exchanged for fresh blood from a matching donor.
Additionally, there is also a chance that the baby might need an exchange transfusion. With this type of transfusion, your baby will receive Type O blood while antibody-coated red blood cells are removed.
In most cases, ABO incompatibility is fairly minor and only requires phototherapy treatment. Phototherapy is a treatment that uses light waves to alter the state of bilirubin within the baby. Bilirubin is a thick pigment that gets created when red blood cells break down. Because of its thickness, bilirubin is difficult to expel from the body naturally.
Phototherapy helps make bilirubin more water-soluble so that it is easier to expel. This can significantly reduce the chances of complications and issues that stem from ABO incompatibility.
If phototherapy is not effective at thinning out bilirubin, you can also opt for intravenous immunoglobulin for your baby. While it is not exactly clear how this treatment works, it effectively thins bilirubin enough to expel it from the body. Intravenous immunoglobulin can also prevent your baby’s red blood cells from getting broken down in the first place. However, it is still a fairly experimental treatment, so it is not always offered.
In some cases, more intense treatments are not necessary for babies that have ABO incompatibility. Instead, a few extra feedings are sometimes enough to keep the bowels moving so that bilirubin naturally gets excreted from the body. This is the best-case scenario, as a temporary increase in feedings is the least invasive and safest option available.
In serious situations where ABO incompatibility is discovered during the pregnancy, you may need to deliver your child prematurely. However, this can be complicated, especially if the baby is not near full-term. Therefore, it is typically only necessary in extreme situations, and additional treatments will likely be necessary for mother and baby alike.
In years past, ABO incompatibility was a serious problem that was often life-threatening. Thankfully, we now have treatments to correct this condition and minimize the potential risks. However, it is essential that you undergo the proper blood testing so that you can receive a diagnosis, if necessary, and receive the proper treatment.