Prevention of Hemolytic Disease of the Newborn
When you hear that you’ve developed Hemolytic Disease of the Newborn as a pregnant mother, it can be very scary and very difficult to handle. However, there are treatment options available, and today’s doctors have ample access to quality care to provide. Every situation is different. To learn more about Hemolytic Disease of the Newborn prevention and health insurance coverage for it, read on. Keep in mind this is not to be considered medical advice.
What Causes Hemolytic Disease of the Newborn?
Hemolytic Disease of the Newborn or HDN is a condition caused by differing blood types between a mother and the baby she is carrying. It occurs most commonly when the mother is Rh negative, which describes the type of blood she has, and the father of the child is Rh positive. When the baby’s blood type is Rh positive like the father, this can create a case in which the mother’s immune system detects the blood type and then attacks it.
Hemolytic Disease of the Newborn Risk Groups
There is no way to know this unless the parents know their blood types. If that is the case, doctors can take action to monitor the health of the child more readily. However, Hemolytic Disease of the Newborn generally only causes complications in the second pregnancy. During the first, the body’s immune system is only likely to become aware of the difference in blood type during pregnancy. It can also happen if an abortion occurs or a miscarriage happens. At that point, the body’s immune system develops antibodies to fight off the foreign cells.
If the parents have a second child, the mother’s immune system recognizes the Rh positive blood type and attacks it. Most often, it is the second or other children that will develop complications from this condition.
Symptoms of Hemolytic Disease of the Newborn
The most common symptom of HDN is the development of hemolytic disease in the baby. That is, the child may develop amniotic fluid that is yellowed in color. In addition, there are usually enlarged organs present on ultrasounds during the pregnancy. Most of the time, the child will have anemia after birth and may also be born with jaundice.
Prevention of Hemolytic Disease of the Newborn
The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia provides some information on Hemolytic Disease of the Newborn prevention. The condition is preventable because prenatal care can provide support should complications arise. A simple blood test provides insight into what is occurring and, if it is present, there are medications available, called RhoGAm that can help to prevent the mother’s immune system from attacking the child. It is very important, then, for patients to get prenatal care.
Health Insurance Coverage for Hemolytic Disease of the Newborn
There are many times when a person with Hemolytic Disease of the Newborn may need routine medical care. Both the mother and the baby may need medical care on an ongoing basis during this time. And, as a result, it is important to have a quality health insurance policy that can provide for all of your needs. The key here is to know most health insurance policies will cover HDN as a type of medical emergency, which means that the care should be readily available, but all policies have some limits.
When it comes to choosing a policy, if you are pregnant or you have been diagnosed with this condition, it is important to select a policy with ample coverage. Because there are likely to be complications, it is important for both mother and baby to have comprehensive health care. This should include coverage for hospital stays, medications, and the hospitals and doctors that you want to work with for treatment.
The complications from this condition can go on for some time, which means that you should plan to maintain health insurance throughout a longer period. If your child develops complications from it, it is likely treatment will be available through a quality plan.
For those who are considering health insurance and Hemolytic Disease of the Newborn, it is critical to choose a policy that’s comprehensive. The good news is most plans will provide all of the care you need during this treatment.
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