HIPERBILIRRUBINEMIA Y ANEMIA EN NEONATOS CON INCOMPATIBILIDAD ABO

SUMMARY: The association between ABO incompatibility, anemia and high levels of serum bilirubin, is well known in newborns. The present study is a prospective clinical trial and was performed in the Hospital General del Oeste in Caracas, Venezuela from April 2002 to July 2003. Fifty patients met the selection criteria from a total population of 6543 newborns. This sample was divided in three groups: asymptomatic, with moderate hemolytic disease and with severe hemolytic disease. Patients were followed during 3 months with clinical and hematological evaluations. Statistics methods include Student t test, media, and standard deviation. The incidence of ABO incompatibility was 7.64 per 1000 newborns: severe hemolytic disease in 1.22 x 1000 live births, moderate hemolytic disease in 4.89 x 1000 live births and asymptomatic ABO incompatibility in 1,53 x 1000 live births. In the group of severe hemolytic disease, 37.5% were included in the OA subgroup and 62.5% in the OB subgroup. Jaundice was present in 40 patients (80.6%), and was evident as an initial clinical manifestation in 17 patients (34%). All jaundiced patients received phototherapy, and 5 (10%), also required exchange transfusion. Blood transfusion was necessary in 4 patients (8%). There was no significant difference between boys and girls. Conclusion: ABO incompatibility is a common medical condition in our newborn population; moderate hemolytic disease is the most frequent presentation and jaundice is the most frequent clinical sign at the initial evaluation.