Hypoglycemia and type 2 diabetes: Link, signs, what to do
Understanding Hemolytic Anemia In Newborns
Hemolytic disease of the newborn is a type of anemia that begins during pregnancy. It can cause serious illness in a newborn, but it may be diagnosed during prenatal screening and treated to avoid complications.
Hemolytic anemia is low hemoglobin caused by the destruction of your red blood cells.
In newborns, hemolytic anemia can result from a mismatch between maternal and fetal blood types. This mismatch provokes the maternal immune system to attack fetal red blood cells.
The resulting hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN) can cause your baby to develop anemia and jaundice. Symptoms can begin during pregnancy or after delivery, and range from mild to life threatening.
However, doctors can screen, identify, and closely monitor pregnancies at high risk of HDFN. Preventive therapy is also available for some blood group mismatches.
If your baby has been diagnosed with hemolytic disease of the newborn, effective treatment is available.
Learn more about hemolytic anemia.
When you're pregnant, some of your antibodies cross the placenta and enter your baby's bloodstream to help protect your newborn.
But if your baby has a different blood type than you, this can become a problem. In this case, your antibodies can attack your baby's red blood cells, causing hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN), also known as erythroblastosis fetalis.
We're all born with blood type O, A, B, or AB, determined by the antigen proteins on our red blood cells. Everyone's blood is also either positive or negative for the Rhesus (Rh) antigen. There are also many less-common blood group antigens.
ABO blood type mismatch occurs in up to 25% of pregnancies. But HDFN only develops in about 1% of these pregnancies, usually when birth parents with type O blood carry babies with blood type A or B. This type of HDFN is caused by pre-existing, naturally occurring anti-A or B antibodies found in people with type O blood.
Rh antigen mismatch happens when an Rh-negative parent carries an Rh-positive baby. In Rh mismatches, HDFN is triggered by fetomaternal hemorrhage. If even a tiny amount (as little as 0.1 mL) of Rh+ fetal blood enters the maternal bloodstream during the pregnancy or delivery, the maternal immune system can recognize it as foreign and begin producing antibodies against the baby's red blood cells.
To help prevent and monitor for HDFN, your doctor will test your blood type, Rh antigen, and red blood cell antibodies early in your pregnancy.
Symptoms of HDFN can appear during pregnancy or after birth.
During pregnancy, babies with HDFN can develop:
Newborns with HDFN might also have:
Jaundice is yellow discoloration of the skin and eyes caused by excess bilirubin in the bloodstream. Many healthy newborns develop mild jaundice.
But in HDFN, many red blood cells are bursting and rapidly releasing their bilirubin, so jaundice can quickly become severe. Left untreated, this can lead to neurologic complications (kernicterus).
During pregnancy, doctors will review your medical and obstetric history, determine your blood type, and check for pre-existing red blood cell antibodies that could affect your baby.
If your tests reveal a risk for HDFN, your doctors might:
If you have type O blood but otherwise normal prenatal testing, your baby's blood type and direct antibody test will still be checked shortly after birth to check for newborn hemolytic disease.
If your newborn develops symptoms of HDFN, doctors will monitor blood counts and bilirubin levels, and order further blood tests to clarify the diagnosis.
If your newborn has received a diagnosis of HDFN, doctors may recommend:
When HDFN is diagnosed prenatally, doctors will monitor using ultrasounds, amniocentesis, and fetal and maternal blood tests. Depending on severity, doctors might recommend:
Left untreated, HDFN can result in marked anemia and/or jaundice. In the most severe cases, this results in hydrops fetalis, organ failure (including heart failure), and brain damage.
The good news is that when HDFN is identified early and treated promptly, doctors can help manage any risks to your baby.
Some circumstances increase the risk of HDFN:
With advances in prenatal screening and treatment, the outlook is good for most babies with hemolytic disease.
Research has shown that 94% of fetuses diagnosed with HDFN will survive with treatment (including intrauterine transfusions). Even in cases with prenatal evidence of early hydrops fetalis, survival is 74%.
A 2023 study found that 22% of newborns with HDFN required phototherapy for jaundice, 1% required blood transfusion, and 0.5% required exchange transfusion or IVIg infusion.
What's the most common cause of hemolytic disease in newborns?Though it's declined since the advent of RhoGAM, Rh antigen incompatibility remains the most common cause of serious HDFN.
The number of people with Rh-negative blood types varies between countries around the globe ranging from 2.4% to 17%. With prenatal screening and RhoGAM treatment, about 1 per 3000 Rh-negative birthing parents still develop Rh antibodies, placing their future pregnancies at risk of HDFN.
The most common cause of HDFN overall is ABO blood group incompatibility. But because maternal A/B antibody levels can be low, and fetal red blood cells do not express A/B antigen at a high level, this type of HDFN is often milder.
Is hemolytic anemia of the newborn life threatening?Severe HDFN can lead to critical anemia and hydrops fetalis, which is a life threatening condition. However, treatment is readily available and can significantly reduce the risk to your baby.
Hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN) occurs during pregnancy when your antibodies cross the placenta and attack your baby's red blood cells. This process can be triggered by a variety of different blood antigen mismatches between you and your baby but is most often due to ABO or Rh incompatibility.
Signs and symptoms of HDFN can begin in utero or neonatally. They include fetal or newborn anemia, hyperbilirubinemia, and in severe cases, life threatening hydrops fetalis.
With prompt identification and treatment, the majority of babies with HDFN survive and thrive.
Liver Disease Symptoms In Men 40s: Top 5 Unusual Signs Of Liver Disease That May Show Up In The Morning
VERIFIED How To Recognize Early Signs Of Liver Diseases? Know From Expert World Liver Day 2024: Discover the initial five warning signs of liver ailments and realize how crucial it is to catch them early. India alone contributes to 20% of global deaths due to liver disease, and around 1/4 of all adults with liver disease are either obese or consume alcohol in excess. Liver-related diseases pose a significant health challenge, and timely diagnosis is essential for effective management and improved prognosis. Thus, recognizing the disease early through the symptoms and taking action is vital to ensuring improved outcomes and effective governance.
Today, on World Liver Day, we have with us, Dr. Sohini Sengupta, Medical Laboratory Director at Redcliffe Labs, who will explain how liver disease can show up signs and symptoms, and why is it important to understand and track them before it gets too late!
Top 5 Signs of Liver Diseases You Should Never IgnoreCommonly reflecting five early symptoms of liver diseases that underscore the importance of early detection are listed below.
FatigueFatigue, a feeling of weakness, extreme tiredness, or loss of energy, is one of the first symptoms of liver disease. While fatigue is common and can even occur because your body is not getting enough rest, persistent fatigue, despite taking the full rest, can signal underlying liver dysfunction and calls for further evaluation. So, if you experience fatigue regularly, opt for the comprehensive liver function test.
Abdominal DiscomfortAbdominal discomfort, including pain, bloating, or a feeling of fullness, is another early indicator of liver disease. As per the National Institutes of Health (NIH), abdominal pain and discomfort lasts over one month in individuals with chronic liver disease. The study further states that up to 82% of patients with liver cirrhosis experience pain. This discomfort may be localized to the right upper quadrant, where the liver is situated, and can indicate inflammation or enlargement.
JaundiceJaundice, a condition associated with yellowing of the skin and eyes, is a hallmark sign of liver diseases. The major cause behind this is the accumulation of bilirubin, a yellow pigment, in the blood when the liver is unable to process it effectively. It is a prevalent symptom, particularly in patients with viral hepatitis or alcoholic liver disease.
Early recognition of jaundice is vital for prompt investigation and management of liver disorders.
Unexplained Weight LossUnexplained weight loss is often an early indicator of liver disorder, particularly in conditions such as liver cancer or advanced cirrhosis. Cirrhosis makes it difficult for the body to process nutrients, which leads to weakness and unintended weight loss. The condition should be promptly assessed to confirm the underlying cause.
Change in Bowel HabitsChanges in bowel habits, such as constipation, diarrhoea, or pale stools, can signal liver dysfunction or liver disease. Besides changes in habits, the change in color, odor, and consistency of the bowel could indicate liver problems, calling for an early prognosis.
Why Early Detection of Liver Diseases is Crucial?Why understanding the warning signs and symptoms are so important when it comes to managing liver disease? Here are the possible good sides of early detection of liver disease:
Improved Treatment OutcomesEarly detection allows for timely intervention, which can prevent disease progression and significantly improve treatment outcomes. Patients diagnosed at an early stage have better chances of responding to a specific treatment and improving their quality of life.
Reduced Disease Burden
Timely diagnosis of liver diseases reduces the burden on individuals, families, and healthcare systems as well. If the disease or damage to the liver is diagnosed at its initial stage, it will minimize the need for advanced interventions, such as liver transplantation, and decrease the costs associated with managing advanced liver disease complications, such as hospital bills, expensive medicines, overall treatment costs, and more.
Prevention of ComplicationsEarly detection of liver diseases allows doctors to implement appropriate preventive measures to prevent complications such as liver failure, portal hypertension, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Early intervention strategies, including dietary changes, lifestyle modifications, and prescribed treatment, can mitigate disease progression, prevent complications, and improve quality of life.
Dr. Sohini Sengupta, Medical Laboratory Director at Redcliffe Labs, said, " To manage the burden of chronic liver diseases, it's highly essential that people shift their focus to precautions, prevention, and early intervention. For liver health, it's important to avoid the consumption of alcohol, eat a proper diet, stay hydrated, exercise regularly, and keep your weight in check to avoid issues due to fatty liver. Healthy vitals are essential to manage bodily functions and ensure well-being."
In conclusion, identifying the early symptoms of liver diseases is crucial to ensure timely diagnosis and optimal management. Fatigue, abdominal discomfort, jaundice, unexplained weight loss, and changes in bowel habits are key indicators that may prompt further evaluation. Early diagnosis not only improves treatment outcomes but also reduces the overall burden of liver diseases on individuals and society. Vigilance and awareness regarding these symptoms can lead to timely detection and better outcomes for patients with liver diseases in India.
Don't Miss Out on the Latest Updates.Subscribe to Our Newsletter Today!
Subscribe Now
Student's Eczema Sealed Her Eyes Shut And Turned Her Into A Recluse But 'miracle' Cure Gave Her New Confidence
Sign up to our free Living Well email for advice on living a happier, healthier and longer lifeLive your life healthier and happier with our free weekly Living Well newsletterA student whose eczema got so bad that it sealed her eyes and lips shut so she could only "grumble" and turned her into a recluse who did not leave the house for weeks has regained her confidence after finding a "miracle" cure.
Megan Jones, 22, an opera student studying at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in Cardiff, recalls the horror of feeling like her face was "melting" when trying to hide her skin problems with foundation in November 2021.
Suffering with painful red and sore patches of skin across her face, Megan would refuse to leave the house for up to two weeks at a time.
Dealing with sore skin since being a baby, Megan would have flare-ups every seven years but recalls the worst happening just before her 20th birthday in 2021 when she woke up unable to open her eyes and mouth.
It reached a point where Megan moved out of her halls to go home and did not attend university or her part-time job for a month as she felt self-conscious of her appearance.
Having now experienced her first winter where her skin felt "normal", Megan told PA Real Life: "I had never felt self-conscious about my skin before this most recent flare-up a couple years ago.
"Eczema was always something I had dealt with but it had never been this bad before and I just felt like everyone was staring at my skin all the time.
"Friends were nice but people I didn't know weren't even trying to hide the fact they were staring at me. The Tube when I was visiting was the worst, I just had all of these strangers staring.
The eczema was so bad that it sealed her eyes and mouth shut (Collect/PA Real Life) (PA)"The fact that my skin has just stayed completely clear feels like a miracle.
"I've now got an app on my phone that allows me to scan the ingredients of products because I'm so wary of what I'm putting on my skin and I don't want anything to trigger another flare-up."
Megan has had eczema since infancy and recalled how her mum would describe just how bad her skin would get as a baby.
She said: "I was born with really awful skin and had other skin issues like jaundice.
"My skin was just horrendous and my mum sometimes described it as looking like I had burns all over my face and body."
With help from prescribed creams, Megan's skin problems were manageable but every seven years or so she would suffer from a flare-up.
She added: "It got really bad again when I was seven and again when I was 14, then six years after that when I was about to turn 20.
"Luckily, I never really felt too self-conscious about it, it was just something that I had that was a bit painful but it was never too bad until 2021."
Megan has had eczema since she was a baby (PA)But while the other flare-ups would happen on her neck and arms, the most recent spread sore and red patches around her face, making her eyes swell.
She said: "I literally had no idea how to manage it, I just felt like everybody was staring at me, it was horrendous.
"It got to the point where I would just refuse to go outside for about two weeks at a time.
"I went on a trip to London just before my 20th birthday and I put makeup on to try and hide it because I just felt really awful about my red skin.
"It was winter and it was really cold and my skin just kept getting more and more flaky and red and cracked.
"It got to the point where I had to go to Boots to get makeup remover and moisturiser to take it all off, it just looked like my skin was melting."
One day, after getting home from London, Megan awoke unable to even open her eyes and mouth after the eczema had crusted over her face, sealing them shut.
Unable to speak without severe pain, her mum phoned to make a doctor's appointment for her while she used cream to remove the crust on her eyes so she could see.
Megan said: "It was counterproductive because within half an hour it would crust back over again.
"I was in so much pain, I couldn't move my mouth, and I couldn't talk, I could only mumble."
The 22-year-old was prescribed steroid creams, antibiotics and anti-viral tablets but nothing seemed to work until her mum ordered a bottle of MooGoo moisturiser around a week after her birthday in November 2021.
Megan's skin has now been clear since November 2021 (PA)Megan added: "She ordered the sensitive skin balm and the natural full cream moisturiser which I was using in tandem for a few days. I kid you not, within two or three days, my skin had gone from being absolutely awful – red, sore, dry and flaky – to almost clear.
"I could talk again, I could open my eyes and I was feeling a bit more full of life. But for me, I was able to go outside and that felt like a miracle."
Now, Megan uses the £9.90 moisturiser twice daily – once in the morning and once at night – and has not experienced a flare-up since.
She recalled how this past winter was the first time she had noticed that her skin did not even seem dry in the colder weather.
Megan added: "It's been one of the first winters where I've actually noticed that my skin was good.
"I didn't have any flaky skin, my forehead didn't look like it was peeling off. My arms, the back of my knees and ears all looked normal… it's really, really great."
Despite now having clear skin, Megan is still wary of using other products on her face and no longer wears foundation for her skin.
She said: "I just don't like that full coverage anymore because I'm really conscious that something might trigger a reaction in my skin like that.
"I tend to focus on eyebrow and mascara products instead, that's literally all I'll use now.
"My skin is so great at the moment that I don't feel like I need it anyway. For me, I've got the confidence of my skin back."
Comments
Post a Comment