AFRICARhE

Hemolytic Disease of the Fetus and Newborn (HDFN, commonly known as “Rhesus disease”) is a largely preventable but still life-threatening condition for unborn babies and newborns worldwide. The disease can develop if a pregnant woman has an Rh-negative blood type and her baby has an Rh-positive blood type. This can cause the mother to form antibodies that break down the baby's blood. If left untreated, this leads to severe anemia, jaundice, brain damage, and even death.