Isolated anaemia as a manifestation of Rh isoimmunisation

BMJ Case Rep. 2012 Jan 18:2012:bcr1120115101. doi: 10.1136/bcr.11.2011.5101.

Abstract

Rh isoimmunisation leads to haemolytic anaemia and hyperbilirubinaemia in the first h of life. Isolated early onset neonatal anaemia has rarely been reported. The authors describe the case of a term infant, born to an 'A' negative, second gravida mother. On the second day of life, pallor was noticed. His haemoglobin (Hb) was 6.8 g/dl, he had reticulocytosis and a positive direct antiglobulin test. However, he did not have a high total serum bilirubin (TSB) (87.2 μmol/l). He was transfused with red blood cells and kept under phototherapy for 3 days. Three weeks later, he received another transfusion for severe anaemia (Hb 6 5 g/dl). During this period, he was never jaundiced and the maximum level of TSB was 122 μmol/l. On follow-up, his Hb stabilised and he had no further problems. This report highlights the possibility of early onset anaemia without jaundice as the sole manifestation of Rh isoimmunisation.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Anemia, Macrocytic / etiology*
  • Anemia, Macrocytic / immunology
  • Anemia, Macrocytic / therapy
  • Bilirubin / blood
  • Erythrocyte Transfusion
  • Folic Acid / therapeutic use
  • Hemoglobins / analysis
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Infant, Newborn, Diseases / etiology*
  • Infant, Newborn, Diseases / immunology
  • Infant, Newborn, Diseases / therapy
  • Male
  • Phototherapy
  • Rh Isoimmunization / complications*
  • Rh Isoimmunization / immunology
  • Rh Isoimmunization / therapy

Substances

  • Hemoglobins
  • Folic Acid
  • Bilirubin