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Rh incompatibility is a condition that develops when a pregnant woman has Rh-negative blood and the baby in her womb has Rh-positive blood.
Alternative NamesRh-induced hemolytic disease of the newborn
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsDuring pregnancy, red blood cells from the fetus can get into the mother's bloodstream as she nourishes her child through the placenta.
If the mother is Rh-negative, her immune system treats the Rh-positive fetal cells as if they were a foreign substance and makes antibodiesagainst the fetal blood cells. These anti-Rh antibodies may cross the placenta into the developing baby, where they destroy the baby's circulating red blood cells.
When red blood cells are broken down, they make bilirubin, which causes an infant to become yellow (jaundiced). The level of bilirubin in the infant's bloodstream may range from mild to dangerously high.
Firstborn infants are often not affected -- unless the mother has had previous miscarriages or abortions, which could have sensitized her system -- as it takes time for the mother to develop antibodies against the fetal blood. However, second children who are also Rh-positive may be harmed.
Rh incompatibility develops only when the mother is Rh-negative and the infant is Rh-positive. This problem has become uncommon in the United States and other places that provide good prenatal care. Special immune globulins, called RhoGAM, are now used to prevent RH incompatibility.
SymptomsRh incompatibility can cause symptoms ranging from very mild to deadly. In its mildest form, Rh incompatibility causes destruction of red blood cells.
Symptoms may include:
- Low muscle tone(hypotonia)
- Developmental delay
- Increased amount of amniotic fluid (polyhydramnios)
- Yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice)
There may be:
- A positive direct Coombs test result
- Higher than normal levels of bilirubin in the baby's cord blood
- Signs of red blood cell destruction in the infant's blood
Since Rh incompatibility is almost completely preventable with the use of RhoGAM, prevention remains the best treatment. Treatment of the already affected infant depends on the severity of the condition.
Mild Rh incompatibility may be treated with:
- Aggressive hydration
- Phototherapy using bilirubin lights
Full recovery is expected for mild Rh incompatibility.
ComplicationsPossible complications include:
- Hydrops fetalis (potentially deadly fluid buildup and swelling in the baby)
- Kernicterus (brain damage due to high levels of bilirubin)
- Neurological syndrome with mental deficiency, movement disorder, hearing loss, speech disorder, and seizures
Call your health care provider if you think or know you are pregnant and have not yet seen a doctor.
PreventionRh incompatibility is almost completely preventable. Rh-negative mothers should be followed closely by their obstetricians during pregnancy.
Special immune globulins, called RhoGAM, are now used to prevent RH incompatibility.
If the father of the infant is Rh-positive or if his blood type cannot be confirmed, the mother is given a mid-term injection of RhoGAM and a second injection within a few days of delivery.
These injections prevent the development of antibodies against Rh-positive blood. However, women with Rh-negative blood type must receive this injection:
- During every pregnancy
- If they have a miscarriage or abortion
- After prenatal tests such as amniocentesis and chorionic villus biopsy
- After injury to the abdomen during a pregnancy
Stoll BJ. Blood disorders. In: Kliegman RM, Behrman RE, Jenson HB, Stanton BF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 103.
What else can I help you with?
What is the difference between rh incompatibility and abo incompatibility if any?
Rh incompatibility occurs when the mother is Rh-negative and the fetus is Rh-positive, leading to the mother's immune response attacking the fetus' red blood cells. ABO incompatibility, on the other hand, happens when the mother has antibodies against the A or B antigens present on the baby's blood cells, leading to hemolysis. Both conditions can result in jaundice and anemia in newborns, but they involve different blood antigens.
What person would most likely to be given a shot of RhoGam?
A person who is Rh negative and pregnant, has had a miscarriage, abortion, or amniocentesis, or has an injury or bleeding during pregnancy would likely be given a shot of RhoGam to prevent Rh incompatibility issues with future pregnancies.
Three reasons why fetal blood must not mix with maternal blood?
Number one: If you are RH- and your baby RH+, and your blood mixes with your baby's, it could become sensitized. Your body could begin producing antibodies to the RH+ blood. If these antibodies get to an unborn baby, they can begin killing off the baby's red blood cells. This is called RH disease. It is rare for it to affect a first baby, but if the mother becomes sensitized and produces antibodies to RH+ blood, it could cause problems for future babies. RH disease is very serious; however, recent medical advances allow 90% of babies with RH disease to survive (March of Dimes).
What will occur when a person with type B positive blood receives a unit of type A negative blood?
Break it down into blood type (A, B, O) and understand what it means. A has an A protein, B had a B protein, and O has no proteins. There is type AB which includes both A protein and B protein. Now think of it as a proteins are rivals. In your question you mentioned a person with B blood getting A bloods. B and A proteins would fight each other. That would be a "transfusion reaction". The person would become very anemic with high bilirubin, Now let's get into Rh compatibility/incompatibility. The only problem that goes is when Rh proteins (Rh+) enter the Rh negative persons (Rh-). But since the person in the question already has type Rh+ it wouldn't hurt to add blood cells that do not have the Rh protein. But if it was the other way around *Rh- getting Rh+ blood" you would have a reaction.
What does the presence of the Rh antigen mean?
Rh antigen, which is also called D antigen, indicates if the blood type is positive or negative. The presence of this antigen indicates the patient is Rh positive, the absence of this antigen reflects a blood type of Rh Negative. For example, if a person is O Positive, the Rh antigen is present.
What is the difference between rh incompatibility and abo incompatibility if any?
Rh incompatibility occurs when the mother is Rh-negative and the fetus is Rh-positive, leading to the mother's immune response attacking the fetus' red blood cells. ABO incompatibility, on the other hand, happens when the mother has antibodies against the A or B antigens present on the baby's blood cells, leading to hemolysis. Both conditions can result in jaundice and anemia in newborns, but they involve different blood antigens.
Is it true Rh incompatibility between a sensitized Rh woman and an Rh- fetus can cause hemolytic disease of the newborn?
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What do NISHOT include?
NISHOT statistics include mistransfusion and ABO/Rh-incompatibility.
Is there any problems of having kids when couples have same Rh factor?
If both parents have the same Rh factor (positive or negative), there is no risk of Rh incompatibility that could affect future pregnancies. Rh factor only becomes a concern when the mother is Rh-negative and the father is Rh-positive, which can lead to Rh incompatibility in the fetus.
Rh positive mother a positive baby?
If a person has the Rh factor, then they are positive. If they don't have the Rh factor, they are negative. The Rh factor is dominant, so a mother with it would have an Rh positive baby even if the father is negative for the Rh factor.
Can a husband a plus and a wife A- have a baby safely?
Yes. They give you an injection to counteract the rh factor incompatibility.
How can ABO-incompatibility protect the baby against RH-incompatibility?
if O- mother consives A+ OR B- baby any foetal A or B TYPE RBC ENTERING THE MOTHERS blood cells are quickly distroyed by her anti-A or anti-B antibodies before she can form -Rh antibodies
Can a mom with Rh positive blood have an Rh positive baby?
The most severe form of erythroblastosis fetalis is that resulting from Rh incompatibility. But you can have erythroblastosis fetalis with ABO incompatibility as well. And this can occur with any child, even the first, and even with an Rh-negative child. However, if you're referring to Rh-incompatibility erythroblastosis fetalis, the answer to your question is, "Not usually" (assuming she hasn't had a previous Rh-positive child). In Rh-incompatibility, erythroblastosis fetalis occurs with the woman's second Rh-positive child. The first Rh-positive child's blood gets into the mother's bloodstream (e.g. at childbirth). The mother's blood makes antibodies to Rh. Since the first child is already born, this does not affect the first child. Then, when she has a second Rh-positive child, her antibodies cross the placenta and attack that child's blood cells. On the other hand, if the mother is exposed to the Rh factor of the first child's blood earlier in the pregnancy somehow, then I suppose she could develop enough antibodies to cause a problem for that first child.
What are the potential pregnancy complications associated with different blood types?
Pregnancy complications related to blood types include Rh incompatibility, where the mother is Rh-negative and the baby is Rh-positive, leading to potential issues like hemolytic disease of the newborn. ABO incompatibility can also cause problems, such as jaundice in the baby. These complications can be managed with proper medical care during pregnancy.
What will happen in my second pregnancy if my first child had severe jaudice resulting from me being o negative?
If the first child was Rh positive it is less likely that the jaundice was due to Rh incompatibility unless you had an abortion earlier and did not take anti D. ABO incompatibility is more likely. If you took anti D after the first delivery because the first child was Rh positive then second child may not be affected.
What are the chances of miscarriage if mother and father blood types don't mix?
Blood type incompatibility between parents, such as one being type O and the other A, B, or AB, does not significantly increase the risk of miscarriage. While Rh incompatibility (when an Rh-negative mother carries an Rh-positive baby) can lead to complications, modern medical interventions can effectively manage this issue. Overall, the chances of miscarriage are influenced by various factors, but blood type incompatibility is not a primary cause. It's always best to consult with a healthcare provider for personalized information and guidance.
What is rhesus positive?
Rhesus positive (Rh+) refers to the presence of the Rh factor, a specific protein on the surface of red blood cells. Individuals with this protein are considered Rh positive, while those without it are Rh negative (Rh-). The Rh factor is important in blood transfusions and pregnancy, as incompatibility between Rh+ and Rh- blood types can lead to serious health issues. Approximately 85% of people of European descent and 95% of people of African descent are Rh positive.
