What is the term for the disease in newborns that occurs due to the Rh factor?

The disease that occurs in newborns due to the Rh factor is known as Hemolytic Disease of the Newborn (HDN). This condition arises when there is an incompatibility between the blood types of the mother and baby, specifically when an Rh-negative mother carries an Rh-positive baby. The mother's immune system may produce antibodies against the Rh factor, which can cross the placenta and attack the red blood cells of the fetus, leading to hemolysis or the destruction of red blood cells.

As a result of this hemolysis, the infant can suffer from anemia, hyperbilirubinemia, and in severe cases, jaundice. While jaundice can be a symptom of HDN, it is not the disease itself, but rather a potential consequence of the disease. Pneumothorax and congenital heart defects do not relate to the Rh factor and thus are not applicable to this context.

Understanding Hemolytic Disease of the Newborn is crucial because it emphasizes the importance of prenatal care and screening for Rh incompatibility, allowing for interventions that can prevent or minimize the disease's effects on the newborn.