Hemolytic disease of the newborn (anti-RhE)

Hemolytic disease of the newborn (anti-RhE) is caused by the anti-RhE antibody of the Rhesus blood group system. The anti-RhE antibody can be naturally occurring, or arise following immune sensitization after a blood transfusion or pregnancy.

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The anti-RhE antibody is quite common especially in the Rhesus genotype CDe/CDe; it can occasionally cause mild jaundice in the neonate, but it never causes severe haemolytic disease of the newborn. It can occur with other antibodies, usually the anti-Rhc antibody, which can cause a severe hemolytic disease.

References

• Antenatal & neonatal screening (second edition). Chapter 12: Rhesus and other haemolytic diseases, by E.A. Letsky, I. Leck, J.M. Bowman. 2000. Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-262827-7.

See also

• Coombs test
• Hematology
• Hemolytic anemia