New Drug Offers Hope Against Dangerous Hemolytic Disease for Unborn Babies

New Drug for Hemolytic Disease: A new drug called Nipocalimab has shown promising results in treating a dangerous condition called Hemolytic Disease of the Fetus and Newborn (HDFN). This disease can cause severe anemia in unborn babies when the mother’s and baby’s blood types are incompatible.

Benefits of Nipocalimab: Nipocalimab slows down the progression of anemia, which means high-risk pregnancies may no longer need blood transfusions for the baby while still in the womb. Currently, blood transfusions are often done inside the womb using ultrasound, which carries risks such as fetal death, premature rupture of membranes, and preterm birth.

Research Findings: Dr. Kenneth Moise Jr., a professor in the Department of Women’s Health at the Dell Medical School, University of Texas in Austin, stated that if further studies support the use of Nipocalimab for HDFN, it could make treatment for pregnant women safer and easier.

Study Details: The study involved 13 pregnant women whose previous pregnancies resulted in either fetal death or required blood transfusions in the womb due to HDFN. DNA tests indicated that their current pregnancies were at high risk for HDFN.

Participants received Nipocalimab injections between 14 and 35 weeks of pregnancy. Notably, 54% of the participants gave birth to live babies at 32 weeks or later without needing a blood transfusion, and some babies did not need a transfusion after birth. Additionally, no babies developed a dangerous condition called fetal hydrops, which is due to fluid accumulation in the fetus.

How Nipocalimab Works: Nipocalimab works by preventing harmful antibodies from crossing the placenta, thus protecting the fetus’s red blood cells. Dr. Moise mentioned that Nipocalimab is unique in its ability to treat various alloimmune and autoimmune diseases, including alloimmune thrombocytopenia and rheumatoid arthritis.