Erythroblastosis fetalis, photomicrograph
Antibodies from an Rh negative mother may enter the blood stream of her unborn Rh positive infant, damaging the red blood cells (RBCs). The infant responds by increasing RBC production and sending out immature RBCs that still have nuclei. This photograph shows normal RBCs, damaged RBCs, and immature RBCs that still contain nuclei.
Review Date: 12/01/2008
Reviewed By: Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Assistant Professor of
Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also
reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
Previously reviewed by Alan Greene, MD, FAAP, Department of
Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Lucile Packard
Children's Hospital; Chief of Future Health, A.D.A.M., Inc.,
September 2007.
