Final answer:
Erythroblastosis Fetalis is a condition arising from Rh incompatibility, leading to the production of immature red blood cells in the fetus. Its severe form, Hydrops fetalis, entails significant health issues and could be fatal. Prevention includes administering Rho(D) immune globulin to Rh-negative mothers.
Step-by-step explanation:
Erythroblastosis Fetalis is a condition that results from severe Rh incompatibility, where a fetus produces numerous immature erythrocytes (red blood cells) to replace those destroyed by hemolysis. The most extreme manifestation of this condition is known as Hydrops fetalis, marked by severe anemia, hypoxia, cardiac decompensation, cardiomegaly, hepatosplenomegaly, and generalized edema. This condition is caused by Rh-negative mothers forming anti-Rh antibodies during a previous pregnancy that subsequently affect a current Rh-positive fetus. To prevent the development of such antibodies, medical professionals administer Rho(D) immune globulin to Rh-negative mothers during their first pregnancy.
Hemolytic Disease of the Newborn (HDN) can range from mild to severe, and severe cases can be fatal if untreated. HDN can be identified by agglutination and hemolysis of fetal red blood cells in the Rh-positive fetus, with the antibodies coming from an Rh-negative mother. Fortunately, with proper prevention and treatment, the severe outcomes of this condition can be mitigated.