In the hours and days after birth, newborns may develop blood disorders that can trigger a range of more complicated issues. The baby’s red blood cells may be being destroyed in a condition known as hemolysis, or the baby’s blood may be incompatible with the mother’s.
Depending on the severity of the disorder, the baby may develop jaundice, anemia, breathing issues, experience stress, or more.
Newborn Blood Disorder Symptoms
- Yellowing of the skin or eyes — known as jaundice — especially within the first 24 hours
- Bilirubin levels are rising quickly
- Poor feeding, inactivity, limpness, or a weak cry
- Breathing problems, fast breathing, or grunting
- Pale skin — possible anemia — or unusual sleepiness
- Enlarged liver or spleen
- Swelling/fluid buildup — more common with severe Rh disease
- Signs of worsening neurological stress — high-pitched cry, arching, seizures
What to know about blood disorders in newborns
ABO Incompatibility (Neonatal) — If the baby’s blood is incompatible with the mother’s, her antibodies may attack the baby’s red blood cells. This breakdown of the red blood cells can cause jaundice or anemia, which may then lead to other complications. This is a milder issue, but medical staff must still react quickly and treat it properly.
Rh Isoimmunization — Although rare, Rh isoimmunization can lead to severe complications. Jaundice and anemia can be fatal because of Rh isoimmunization, while other problems like heart failure and fluid buildup can be fatal. Brain damage, seizures, and extended stays in the NICU may also be caused by Rh isoimmunization.
Hemolytic Disease of the Newborn (HDN) — Think of HDN as a blanket term for the conditions caused by ABO incompatibility and Rh isoimmunization.
How can medical malpractice worsen blood disorders in newborns?
Medical staff can’t always prevent blood disorders from developing, but there are several ways they can make the situation worse. During pregnancy, staff may fail to perform or act on prenatal blood type/antibody screening that could alert them to possible blood type conflicts. That can also include failing to recognize the Rh sensitization risk factors or failing to provide appropriate prevention when indicated.
Staff may fail to notice rapidly rising bilirubin or anemia. In some cases, they may delay bilirubin testing or fail to repeat necessary testing. If the newborn is discharged too soon without proper jaundice monitoring or a proper follow-up care plan, symptoms can get worse and cause more serious complications.
Blood disorders may not always be preventable, but how medical teams react to them is key to maintaining the health of your newborn. If your baby suffered from blood disorder issues during birth, it’s extremely important that you contact Weisser Law today.
What an attorney for birth injury blood disorders can do
Our respected team of medical malpractice attorneys and staff has the experience necessary to dig into your birth and determine what went wrong. We’ll determine if a mistake was made and, if so, prove exactly how it harmed your newborn.
At Weisser Law, your traumatic experience isn’t just another case or more paperwork. Your life and future are at stake, and you deserve a legal team that understands how critical it is to hold accountable those who hurt you. Contact us today for your free, no-pressure consultation. Weisser Law, where we put people over profits.