The prevalence of the ABO hemolytic disease of the newborn and its complications in an Iranian population

Background: ABO incompatibility is the most common cause of immune hemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN) and in most cases is not dangerous. The present study aimed to determine the prevalence of ABO-HDN and its effects on neonatal blood parameters in a population of patients referred to some training hospitals in Iran. Materials and methods: In This cross-sectional study, All newborns (a total of 765 infants) whose medical records showed that they suffered from anemia or jaundice and were hospitalized in the training hospitals of Khorramabad, Iran, were evaluated. The information recorded in their medical records included age, gender, blood group, hemoglobin and bilirubin levels, reticulocyte count, platelet count, and maternal age. Data were analyzed using SPSS and statistical tests, such as chi-squared, independent t-test, and the Mann-Whitney test. Results: Out of 765 newborns with anemia or jaundice, 293 infants (38.3%) had HDN, 78 (10.2%) of whom suffered from non-immune HDN. The rest, i.e. 215 neonates (28.1%), suffered from immune HDN. Among the neonates with immune HDN, 29 infants (3.8%) had Rh-HDN, and 186 newborns (24.3%) had ABO-HDN. Among the 186 newborns with ABO-HDN, 95 cases (13%) had blood group A and 84 cases (11.5%) had blood group B. No significant relationship was found between A and B blood groups in the newborns with the occurrence of ABO-HDN (p=0.1). There was a significant difference between neonates with ABO and those without ABO in terms of bilirubin (p= 0.001), hemoglobin (p=0.003), and reticulocyte (p=0.036) counts. A significant relationship between platelet count and the occurrence of ABO-HDN was not found (p= 0.558). Conclusion: The results showed that a large percentage of neonates are affected by ABO-HDN and provisions should be made to avoid possible complications.