Hemolytic

related to the destruction of red blood cells

Hemolytic Disease of
the Newborn (HDN)

disease of fetus and newborn resulting from destruction of fetal red blood cells by antibodies from an Rh-negative mother directed against Rh(D) antigens on the fetal red cells

hepatitis A virus

type of non- enveloped virus that causes inflammation of the liver (hepatitis) and is transmissible through food or blood and blood products; tests and vaccines for this virus exist

hepatitis B virus

type of enveloped virus that causes inflammation of the liver (hepatitis) and is transmissible through blood and blood products; tests and vaccines for this virus exist

hepatitis C virus

type of enveloped virus that causes inflammation of the liver (hepatitis) and is transmissible through blood and blood products; tests for this virus exist, but a vaccine is not available

hepatosplenomegaly

enlargement of the liver and spleen

Histamine

substance responsible for many symptoms of allergic and anaphylactic reactions

Hives

red, swollen, intensely itching areas on the skin, often in response to an allergic reaction, similar to urticaria

human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)

enveloped virus that destroys the immune system and leads to AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome)

hydrops fetalis

generalized edema of a fetus

hypersensitivity

abnormal or exaggerated response to an antigen

hypertension

abnormally high blood pressure

hypotension

abnormally low blood pressure

idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP)

autoimmune disease in which patients make antibodies to their own platelets, elements in the blood necessary for clotting; the antibody-coated platelets are removed from circulation and destroyed, resulting in bleeding into the skin or purpura

immune globulin

another term for immunoglobulin or antibody

immunization

process of inducing an immune response to an infectious agent or other substance

immunized

responding to an immunization

immunoglobulin G (IgG)

one of the five types of antibody produced by the body; synthesized in response to a foreign substance

immunohematology

study of immune reactions in the blood

induration

area of firm or hard tissue

inert

does not react readily with other compounds

intramuscular

into a muscle

intravenous

into a vein

jaundice

yellow color of the skin, whites of eyes, and other tissues due to presence of bilirubin; often associated with liver damage

kernicterus

brain damage associated with high levels of unconjugated bilirubin

latex

plant secretion that contains particles of natural rubber; used to make surgical supplies, e.g., gloves; latex allergies can be life-threatening

lipid

fat or oil

log

short for logarithm, the power to which a base, usually 10, must be raised to produce a given number

lyophilized

freeze-dried

mechanism of action

how a drug works

microgram ( m g)

one-millionth of a gram

milligram (mg)

one-thousandth of a gram

milliliter (mL)

one-thousandth of a liter

nanogram (ng)

one-billionth of a gram

nanometer (nm)

one-billionth of a meter

non-enveloped virus

virus (e.g., hepatitis A virus, parvovirus B19) without a cell-membrane derived envelope; usually resistant to killing by chemicals and other agents

nucleic acid test (NAT)

test for viruses that detects the genetic information of the virus rather than viral proteins or antibodies to the virus

obstetrical

referring to pregnancy

obstetrician

physician specializing in the medical care of women during pregnancy and childbirth

parenteral

by means other than via the gastrointestinal system. e.g., intramuscularly or intravenously

parvovirus B19

small, non-enveloped virus that causes a rash (fifth disease) and can lead to lack of red blood cell production in hemolytic anemia

passive immunization

acquiring immunity to an antigen through administration of pre-formed antibodies from another individual rather than by direct exposure to the antigen

pathogen

agent that causes disease

percutaneous umbilical blood sampling (PUBS)

removal of blood sample from the fetal umbilical cord for diagnostic purposes; performed by passing a needle through the mother's abdomen into the fetal umbilical cord; also called cordocentesis

pH

measure of how acidic or alkaline a substance is; pH 7 is neutral; pH < 7 is acid, pH > 7 is alkaline

pharmacokinetics

description of how a drug moves in and is acted upon by the body

placebo

inactive drug

placenta

organ attached to the uterus that allows for exchange of gases, nutrients, and waste products between mother and fetus

placenta previa

condition where the placenta is in an abnormal condition covering the opening of the uterus, making it more susceptible to rupture and to bleed

platelet

component of the blood that plays a key role in coagulation (ability of the blood to form clots)

postpartum

after birth

postpartum administration

refers to dosing of Rh immune globulin product after delivery

prion

generally accepted to be a protein-based infectious agent causing diseases associated with brain deterioration and dementia

prophylaxis

prevention

RBC

red blood cell

Rh(D)

antigen on red blood cells that is responsible for the Rh-positive blood group

rubella

“German” measles

sensitized

exposed to an antigen

sodium chloride

common salt

solvent/detergent treated

use of solvents and detergents to inactivate viruses; effective on enveloped viruses only

systemic

affecting the entire body

T 1/2

see half-life

tangential flow filtration

separation technique that allows the product of interest to be purified from other components in a mixture

titer

amount of substance in a solution, usually in reference to a known standard

T max

time to achieve C max after a dose of a drug

transfusion reaction

adverse reaction that occurs when individuals receive the wrong blood type, or blood to which they have developed antibodies; symptoms result from destruction of the transfused blood

trauma

injury

trimester

one of the three-month segments into which a normal pregnancy is divided

ultrafiltration

separation of particles of different sizes by use of a membrane or ultrafilter

urinalysis

testing of urine

urticaria

see hives

varicella

virus that causes chicken pox

Vd

see volume of distribution

version

changing the position of the fetus while still in the uterus using manual manipulation

viral marker

antibody, antigen, or other measurable component associated with current or past viral infection

virus

microscopic particulate pathogen that relies on living cells for reproduction

volume of distribution (Vd)

measure of dispersion of a drug throughout the body

weak D (Du)

weak expression of D antigen on red blood cells (formerly called Du); rarely causes HDN, which, if it occurs, is almost always mild; presence of Rh-positive fetal cells in an Rh-negative mother's circulation after FMH may mimic weak D blood type, but is not a contraindication to receiving Rh o (D) immune globulin

West Nile Virus (WNV)

virus that primarily infects birds, but can be transmitted to humans through mosquitoes and other animals; may cause mild or severe encephalitis or aseptic meningitis; occasionally fatal; common symptoms include fever, headache, stiff neck, and muscular weakness