Final answer:
An infant with erythroblastosis fetalis would typically exhibit symptoms such as edema and ascites due to the destruction of red blood cells caused by maternal anti-Rh antibodies attacking the fetus's Rh-positive blood cells.
Step-by-step explanation:
An infant diagnosed with erythroblastosis fetalis, also known as hemolytic disease of the newborn, would characteristically exhibit symptoms due to the destruction of their red blood cells. Upon exposure to Rh-positive fetal red blood cells during a previous pregnancy, an Rh-negative mother produces anti-Rh antibodies. In a subsequent pregnancy, if the child is Rh-positive, these antibodies can cross the placenta and attack the fetus's red blood cells, leading to hemolysis. This immune response can result in anemia, edema, enlarged liver or spleen, and in severe cases, hydrops (an abnormal accumulation of fluid in the body cavities, such as ascites), which may lead to the death of the newborn in severe cases. The treatment for erythroblastosis fetalis involves administering anti-Rh antibodies (RhoGAM) to the pregnant Rh-negative mother to prevent the anti-Rh antibody response.