Erythroblastosis Fetalis

The prognosis of erythroblastosis fetalis has been studied in relation to maternal history, maternal titer of Rh antibody, and length of fetal gestation. The outlook for recovery of the first Rh-positive infant born to a mother after sensitization to the Rh factor occurs is good. About 30% of such infants have no clinical disease. Few are stillborn. Subsequent affected babies have a less favorable prognosis. Stillbirths become common (about 40%) and are related to the fact that the maternal titer is likely to be high throughout a large part of pregnancy. The authors have not seen a general tendency to increasing severity of erythroblastosis after the second affected baby. The prognosis of erythroblastosis fetalis in live born infants is more closely related to maternal titer than to family history of affected infants, with high titers carrying increased risk of kernicterus. Immaturity in a live born baby with erythroblastosis fetalis carries an increased risk of unfavorable outcome, particularly with respect to kernicterus.