Case of Hemolytic Disease of the Fetus and Newborn Treated Without Blood Products

Abstract

Hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN) affects 3/100,000 to 80/100,000 patients yearly and can cause severe anemia and hyperbilirubinemia. Recombinant human erythropoietin has been used as an adjunct therapy in patients with HDFN and hypo-regenerative anemia in the setting of receiving intrauterine blood transfusions. This case describes a patient with HDFN, in which the family were Jehovah Witnesses, and blood transfusions were declined. The patient had symptomatic anemia with a hematocrit nadir of 18.6%. The patient was successfully treated with recombinant human erythropoietin, ferrous sulfate, and folic acid, avoiding the need for transfusion.