Symptoms
Besides anemia, symptoms of hemolytic disease of the newborn include swelling, jaundice, enlarged liver or spleen, and fluid in the lungs, heart or abdomen.
Diagnosis
In most cases, this syndrome can be diagnosed with a simple blood test for blood type, blood count and bilirubin level. Bilirubin is the byproduct of blood cell breakdown, which is what occurs when antibodies react with blood cells.
Treatment
Treatment depends on which type of the syndrome the baby has, but a blood transfusion and other medications to treat the symptoms are common.
Hemolytic disease of the newborn can be a dangerous syndrome, but with early intervention and the right treatment, the baby will likely make a full recovery.
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Reference:
Erythroblastosis fetalis. (2009). Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002275/