Neonatal Hyperbilirubinemia Due to ABO Incompatibility

Aim: ABO incompatibility is a common condition occurring in about 15-25% of all maternal/fetal pairs. The features of ABO incompatibility range from asymptomatic through to severe hemolysis with hyperbilirubinemia and anemia. The aim of this study is to assess the clinical course of ABO incompatibility and to evaluate the effect of blood groups on the severity of neonatal jaundice. Material and Methods: Neonates with ABO hemolytic disease of newborn were retrospectively studied. Risk factors for the severity of jaundice were recorded. Demographic, clinic, and laboratory features were compared in infants with blood groups A and B. Results: Within 13 months, 165 term infants with neonatal jaundice were treated. 32 (19.4%) of these patients had jaundice due to maternal-fetal ABO incompatibility. The O-A group included 23 infants (71.9%) while the O-B group included for 9 infants (28.1%). All the infants received phototherapy while none of the cases required exchange transfusion. Mean total bilirubin level was 15.6±4.5 mg/dl on the 2.9±2.1 days of mean age after the initiation of treatment. There were no differences between the infants with blood group A or B in terms of demographics, initial bilirubin level, anemia in first 24 hours, the rate of hemolysis, and direct Coombs test. Conclusion: ABO incompatibility may have risks of significant hyperbilirubinemia and hemolysis in infants. Neonatal jaundice due to ABO incompatibility can be successfully managed with early admission of intensive phototherapy through close follow-ups. Blood type has no effect on the severity of jaundice. Key words: Neonate; Jaundice; ABO Incompatibility; Blood Group; Phototherapy.