erythroblastosis fetalis

noun erythroblastosis fe·ta·lis \ -fi-ˈta-ləs \

Definition of erythroblastosis fetalis

: a hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn that occurs when the immune system of an Rh-negative mother produces antibodies to an antigen in the blood of an Rh-positive fetus which cross the placenta and destroy fetal erythrocytes and that is characterized by an increase in circulating erythroblasts and by jaundice

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Origin and Etymology of erythroblastosis fetalis

New Latin, fetal erythroblastosis

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: circa 1934

in the meaning defined above

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Medical Dictionary

erythroblastosis fetalis

noun erythroblastosis fe·ta·lis \ -fi-ˈtal-əs \

medical Definition of erythroblastosis fetalis

: a hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn that is characterized by an increase in circulating erythroblasts and by jaundice and that occurs when the immune system of an Rh-negative mother produces antibodies to an antigen in the blood of an Rh-positive fetus which cross the placenta and destroy fetal red blood cells — called also hemolytic disease of the newborn, Rh disease