Which therapy is used for newborn jaundice due to isoimmune hemolytic disease?

Which therapy is used for newborn jaundice due to isoimmune hemolytic disease?

• A. Phototherapy alone
• B. Intravenous immunoglobulin
• C. Exchange transfusion
• D. Cimetidine

Answer: (B)

Newborn jaundice from isoimmune hemolytic disease happens because maternal antibodies attack fetal red blood cells, causing ongoing hemolysis and increased unconjugated bilirubin. Intravenous immunoglobulin helps by saturating Fc receptors on splenic macrophages, which reduces the clearance of antibody-coated red cells. This lowers the amount of bilirubin produced from hemolysis and often decreases the need for more invasive therapy. Phototherapy can help eliminate bilirubin but doesn’t stop the underlying immune destruction, and exchange transfusion is reserved for more severe cases or when anemia is present. Cimetidine has no proven role in managing this condition.

Newborn jaundice from isoimmune hemolytic disease happens because maternal antibodies attack fetal red blood cells, causing ongoing hemolysis and increased unconjugated bilirubin. Intravenous immunoglobulin helps by saturating Fc receptors on splenic macrophages, which reduces the clearance of antibody-coated red cells. This lowers the amount of bilirubin produced from hemolysis and often decreases the need for more invasive therapy. Phototherapy can help eliminate bilirubin but doesn’t stop the underlying immune destruction, and exchange transfusion is reserved for more severe cases or when anemia is present. Cimetidine has no proven role in managing this condition.