Overview
Neonatal autoimmune hemolytic anemia (NAIHA) is a rare blood condition that affects newborn babies, usually within the first few days or weeks of life. In this disease, the baby's immune system mistakenly produces antibodies that attack and destroy its own red blood cells. This process is called hemolysis. Red blood cells are essential for carrying oxygen throughout the body, so when they are destroyed too quickly, the baby can develop anemia (low red blood cell count), jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes due to a buildup of bilirubin), and other complications. This condition is different from hemolytic disease of the newborn caused by maternal antibodies (such as Rh incompatibility), because in NAIHA the baby's own immune system is producing the harmful antibodies. The exact cause is not fully understood, but it is considered an autoimmune process rather than a purely inherited genetic disorder. Symptoms can range from mild to severe. Babies may appear pale, yellow, or lethargic and may have difficulty feeding. In severe cases, dangerously high bilirubin levels can lead to brain damage (kernicterus) if not treated promptly. Treatment typically involves supportive care such as phototherapy for jaundice, blood transfusions for severe anemia, and in some cases immunosuppressive therapies like corticosteroids or intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG). Most babies respond well to treatment, and the condition often resolves over weeks to months as the immune system matures.
Also known as:
Key symptoms:
Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)Pale skin or pallorFatigue or excessive sleepinessPoor feeding or difficulty feedingRapid heartbeatRapid breathingDark-colored urineEnlarged spleenEnlarged liverIrritability or fussinessSwelling of the body (in severe cases)Low red blood cell count (anemia)
Sporadic
Usually appears on its own, not inherited from a parent
Neonatal
Begins at or shortly after birth (first 4 weeks)
FDA & Trial Timeline
2 eventsPicterus AS — NA
To decrease the need for red blood cell (RBC) transfusion due to hemolysis in adults with cold agglutinin disease (CAD)
Data sourced from FDA regulatory filings and ClinicalTrials.gov. Updated periodically.
Treatments
1 availableEnjaymo
To decrease the need for red blood cell (RBC) transfusion due to hemolysis in adults with cold agglutinin disease (CAD)
Clinical Trials
View all trials with filters →No actively recruiting trials found for Neonatal autoimmune hemolytic anemia at this time.
New trials open frequently. Follow this disease to get notified.
Rare Disease Specialist
Rare Disease Specialist
Treatment Centers
8 centersUniversity of Chicago
📍 Chicago, Illinois
Stanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🏥 NORDBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
Financial Resources
1 resourcesTravel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Neonatal autoimmune hemolytic anemia.
Community
No community posts yet. Be the first to share your experience with Neonatal autoimmune hemolytic anemia.
Start the conversation →Latest news about Neonatal autoimmune hemolytic anemia
Disease timeline:
New trial: Evaluation of a Smartphone-based Screening Tool (Picterus JP) for Neonatal Jaundice (Chicago)
Phase NA trial recruiting. Picterus Jaundice Pro (JP)
Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
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Mental Health Support
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Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.How severe is my baby's anemia, and what is the current treatment plan?,Will my baby need blood transfusions, and if so, how many might be expected?,What are the risks of the treatments being used, such as IVIG or steroids?,How long is this condition expected to last before it resolves?,What warning signs should I watch for at home that would require emergency care?,Will this condition affect my baby's long-term development or health?,Is there any chance this could happen again in future pregnancies?
Common questions about Neonatal autoimmune hemolytic anemia
What is Neonatal autoimmune hemolytic anemia?
Neonatal autoimmune hemolytic anemia (NAIHA) is a rare blood condition that affects newborn babies, usually within the first few days or weeks of life. In this disease, the baby's immune system mistakenly produces antibodies that attack and destroy its own red blood cells. This process is called hemolysis. Red blood cells are essential for carrying oxygen throughout the body, so when they are destroyed too quickly, the baby can develop anemia (low red blood cell count), jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes due to a buildup of bilirubin), and other complications. This condition is differen
How is Neonatal autoimmune hemolytic anemia inherited?
Neonatal autoimmune hemolytic anemia follows a sporadic inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
At what age does Neonatal autoimmune hemolytic anemia typically begin?
Typical onset of Neonatal autoimmune hemolytic anemia is neonatal. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.
Which specialists treat Neonatal autoimmune hemolytic anemia?
9 specialists and care centers treating Neonatal autoimmune hemolytic anemia are listed on UniteRare, sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov principal investigators, published research, and the NPPES NPI registry.