How does hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN) cause acquired congenital hemolytic anemia?
A)HDFN develops when hypoxia or dehydration causes the erythrocytes to change shapes, which are then recognized as foreign and removed from circulation.
B)HDFN is an alloimmune disease in which the mother's immune system produces antibodies against fetal erythrocytes, which are recognized as foreign and removed from circulation.
C)HDFN develops when the polycythemia present in fetal life continues after birth, causing the excessive number of erythrocytes to be removed from circulation.
D)HDFN is an autoimmune disease in which the fetus's immune system produces antibodies against fetal erythrocytes, which are recognized as foreign and removed from circulation.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

HDFN is an alloimmune disease in which maternal blood and fetal blood are antigenically incompatible, causing the mother's immune system to produce antibodies against fetal erythrocytes. Fetal erythrocytes that have been attacked by (or bound to) maternal antibodies are recognized as foreign or defective by the fetal mononuclear phagocyte system and are removed from the circulation by phagocytosis, usually in the fetal spleen. The other statements do not correctly explain this pathology.

How Does Hemolytic Disease of the Fetus and Newborn (HDFN)