A Case of Hemolytic Disease in the Newborn Due to Anti-Dia Antibody

ABSTRACT

The Diego blood group is expressed as Dia antigen and Dib antigen. The frequency of Dia antigen expression in Korean is estimated to be 6-15%. We report the first case of severe hemolytic disease caused by anti-Dia antibody in Korea. Full-term male infant was admitted due to hyperbilirubinemia on the first day of life. Total bilirubin level was elevated to 20 mg/dL at 20 hours of age and exchange transfusion was performed. Total bilirubin decreased to 12.7 mg/dL after exchange transfusion, but increased to 19.0 mg/ dL at 43 hours of age. After second exchange transfusion, total bilirubin was 6.0 mg/dL. The blood group of mother was type A, Rh D (+ and that of newborn was type O, Rh D (+. The direct antiglobulin test showed strong positive, and anti-Dia antibody was eluted from the baby's red blood cell. Due to higher incidence of Dia antigen expression in oriental population, we suggest that the Diego positive cell panel should be included in the diagnosis of hemolytic disease of the newborn.