Final answer:
During intrauterine transfusion, a baby is given hematopoietic stem cells, which can develop into mature red and white blood cells. This procedure is used to treat erythroblastosis fetalis caused by Rh factor incompatibility, where the mother's immune system destroys the baby's red blood cells.
Step-by-step explanation:
The cells given to a baby during intrauterine transfusion are typically red blood cells, specifically hematopoietic stem cells that can develop into mature red and white blood cells. This type of transfusion is often necessary in cases where the baby suffers from erythroblastosis fetalis, also known as hemolytic disease of the newborn, which is a condition that results from Rh factor incompatibility between the mother and fetus. This autoimmune response can lead to the destruction of the fetus's red blood cells by the mother's immune system.
Intrauterine transfusions aim to replace the destroyed fetal red blood cells and provide healthy red blood cells to the fetus, which can transport oxygen effectively and support the baby's development until birth. Other cell types, like fetal stem cells, embryonic stem cells, or cells from the umbilical cord or baby teeth, are not typically used for this treatment.