This process, called hemolysis, is accompanied by the release of excess amounts of bilirubin.
It can also lead to HELLP syndrome, with hemolysis (destruction) of red blood cells, elevated liver enzymes signaling liver damage, and low platelet count (leading to bleeding problems).
These antibodies can circulate in her Rh-positive newborn, initiating hemolysis and causing severe abnormal jaundice.
If the organism is a group A hemolytic streptococcus, an area immediately around the bacterial colony will show hemolysis (the breaking up or lysing of red blood cells), leaving a clear zone surrounding the colony.
Production of cells by the spleen will increase to meet the demands of accelerated RBC destruction (hemolysis).