Haemolytic anaemia due to red blood cell antibodies

Various haemolytic anaemias are caused by the immune system making destructive antibodies against red blood cells, e.g., haemolytic disease of the new born, autoimmune (acquired) haemolytic anaemia, symptomatic haemolytic anaemia, and paroxysmal haemoglobinuria.

In haemolytic disease of the newborn a Rhesus negative mother carrying a Rhesus positive baby may make antibodies against the red cells of the unborn foetus. In severe untreated cases mortality can be very high, death occurring within two weeks, but with exchange transfusion the mortality is low. Spontaneous recovery occurs in mild cases. The injection of anti-D immunoglobulin into the mother, after delivery of her baby, will destroy the infant cells that have leaked into the mother's circulation and will prevent the development of haemolytic disease in subsequent babies.