May 26, 2026- QuidelOrtho Corporation has released episode 58 of its Science Bytes podcast, focusing on hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN) – a serious but often underrecognized condition driven by maternal alloimmunization.
Hosted by Michelle Mullens, Global Product Manager of Portfolio Solutions for Transfusion Medicine at QuidelOrtho, the episode features Bethany Weathersby, Founder and Executive Director of the Allo Hope Foundation. Together, they explore how red blood cell antibodies can impact pregnancy, why awareness and care gaps persist, and how timely diagnostics and coordinated care can dramatically improve outcomes for mothers and babies.
Key Insights:
- What is HDFN: How maternal alloimmunization leads to red blood cell antibody formation and fetal risk
- The impact of awareness gaps: Many patients and providers are unfamiliar with alloantibodies, leading to delayed understanding and care
- Why lab testing matters: Antibody screening and titers directly guide pregnancy management and risk assessment
- Inconsistencies in care: Outcomes can vary widely depending on provider knowledge, timing of testing and access to specialized care
- The patient perspective: Connecting diagnostic workflows to real-world outcomes highlights opportunities to improve care
HDFN occurs when a pregnant individual develops antibodies against fetal red blood cell antigens, leading to fetal anemia and other serious complications. While advances in screening and treatment have improved outcomes, the episode highlights ongoing inconsistencies in awareness, access to expertise and clinical management – even in well-resourced healthcare settings. Through a powerful combination of clinical insight and lived experience, the conversation highlights the critical role of laboratory testing as the foundation of prenatal care decisions and the importance of acting quickly on results to prevent severe outcomes.
Listen to the latest episode of the QuidelOrtho Science Bytes podcast at: https://www.quidelortho.com/global/en/resources/podcasts/quidelortho-science-bytes.