Neonatal isoerythrolysis or Jaundice Foal Syndrome

• Neonatal isoerythrolysis (NI) or Jaundice Foal Syndrome is an uncommon but potentially life-threatening condition of newborn foals.
• It has been estimated to occur in 1 to 2% of equine births.
• The condition occurs when a foal ingests colostrum containing antibodies directed against its red blood cells (RBC’s).
• Destruction of RBC’s leads to release of a pigment called bilirubin that may cause the gums, white parts of the eye and feces to become yellow or jaundiced.
• Horses have a number of blood groups, the most common of which are labeled ‘Aa’ and ‘Qa’.
• A foal may inherit its blood group type from either the mare or the stallion.
• If the stallion and mare have the same blood group, the problem cannot occur.
• If a foal inherits the blood group type of its dam, there will also be no chance of developing this syndrome.
• Affected foals usually begin to show clinical signs between 24 and 72 hours of life.

Signs

• jaundice
• weakness
• lethargy
• decreased nursing vigor
• increased respiratory and
• heart rate, recumbancy
• passage of red-colored urine and possibly death.

Treatment

• Blood transfusions from a crossmatched donor horse or washed red blood cells from the mare. 
• Additional therapy may include administration of purified hemoglobin, antibiotics, and other medications.

For more information

http://csu-cvmbs.colostate.edu/Documents/Learnfoals8-jaundicesynd-apr09.pdf