Immunoglobulin a new modality for treatment of hemolytic disease of newborn

A significant proportion of deliveries are still occurring at home , Rhesus(Rh) isoimmunization is an important puplic health problem. These babies can present as hydrops at birth if sensitization has been severe enough or as rapidly rising or seriously elevated total serum bilirubin. As regard ABO incompatability has become an important cause of hemolytic jaundice in newborn with decrease in incidence of Rh hemolytic disease. In ”O” blood group mother isohaemagglutin(Anti A and anti B) Ig G type cross the placenta and destroy the A or B type red blood cells of the fetus.Aim of the work:To discuss a value of immunoglobulin in Management of hemolytic disease of newborn.Summary and Conclusion:Immunoglobulin is an antibody containing solution obtained from pools of plasma collected from large numbers of healthy blood donors. Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) belongs to a group of medicines known as immunizing agents.Intravenous immunoglobulin given either prophylactically or for treatment of established isoimmune hemolytic jaundice in the newborn , Prophylactic IVIG has been defined as use in infants with evidence of isoimmune hemolysis within the first few hours of life, before the bilirubin has been shown to rise. And by this way reduce the need for exchange transfusions in Rh and ABO hemolytic diseases. It also be helpful in the other types of Rh hemolytic disease such as anti-C and anti-E. Established jaundice has been defined as jaundice reaching a predefined bilirubin level.Antenatal and postnatal administration of anti-D immunoglobulin is now clearly established to prevent Rh D alloimmunization and hemolytic disease of the newborn. However, for it to work it must be given in sufficient dose and before immunization has occurred.