hemolytic anemia of newborn


e·ryth·ro·blas·to·sis fe·ta·lis

a grave hemolytic anemia that, in most instances, results from development in an Rh-negative mother of anti-Rh antibody in response to the Rh factor in the (Rh-positive) fetal blood; it is characterized by many erythroblasts in the circulation, and often generalized edema (hydrops fetalis) and enlargement of the liver and spleen; the disease is sometimes caused by antibodies for antigens other than Rh. Synonym(s): congenital anemia, fetal erythroblastosis, hemolytic anemia of newborn, hemolytic disease of newborn, neonatal anemia, Rh antigen incompatibility