Hemolytic anemia caused by non-D minor blood incompatibilities in a newborn

Hyperbilirubinemia is one of the most widely seen cause of neonatal morbidity. Besides ABO and Rh isoimmunization, minor blood incompatibilities have been also been identified as the other causes of severe newborn jaundice. We report a newborn with indirect hyperbilirubinemia caused by minor blood group incompatibilities (P1, M, N, s and Duffy) whose hemolysis was successfully managed with intravenous immunoglobulin therapy. A thirty-two gestational weeks of preterm male baby became severely icteric on postnatal day 11, with a total bilirubin level of 14.66 mg/dl. Antibody screening tests revealed incompatibility on different minor groups (P1, M, N, s and Duffy (Fya ve Fyb)). On postnatal day thirteen, the level of bilirubin increased to 20.66 mg/dl although baby was under intensive phototherapy. After the administration of intravenous immunoglobulin and red blood cell transfusion, hemoglobin and total bilirubin levels became stabilised. Minor blood incompatibilities should be kept in mind during differential diagnosis of hemolytic anemia of the newborn. They share the same treatment algorithm with the other types hemolytic anemia. New studies revealed that intravenous immunoglobulin treatment in hemolytic anemia have some attractive and glamorous results. It should be seriously taken into consideration for treatment of minor blood incompatibilities.