Rh incompatibility
Rh incompatibility is a condition that occurs during pregnancy if a woman has Rh-negative blood and her baby has Rh-positive blood. Rh is short for Rhesus, referring to the Rhesus monkey, in which the protein was first discovered.
Causes[edit | edit source]
Rh incompatibility can occur if a woman with Rh-negative blood becomes pregnant by a man with Rh-positive blood and the baby inherits the father's Rh-positive blood type. Normally, the mother's Rh-negative blood is separate from the baby's Rh-positive blood. However, during pregnancy or at the time of delivery, some of the baby's Rh-positive blood can mix with the mother's Rh-negative blood. This can cause the mother's body to produce antibodies against the Rh factor, a condition known as Rh sensitization.
Symptoms[edit | edit source]
Rh incompatibility itself often causes no symptoms. However, Rh sensitization can lead to a number of health problems for the baby, including jaundice, anemia, brain damage, heart failure, and even death in severe cases.
Diagnosis[edit | edit source]
Rh incompatibility can be diagnosed through blood tests. If the mother is Rh-negative and the father is Rh-positive, the baby's Rh factor can be tested as soon as it is born. If the baby is Rh-positive, the mother may be given a series of two Rh immune-globulin shots during her first pregnancy.
Treatment[edit | edit source]
Treatment for Rh incompatibility is aimed at preventing the mother from becoming sensitized. This can be achieved through the administration of Rh immune-globulin shots during pregnancy and after delivery.
Prevention[edit | edit source]
Rh incompatibility can be prevented if the mother is given Rh immune-globulin shots during her first pregnancy and within 72 hours after delivery if the baby is Rh-positive.
See also[edit | edit source]
Rh incompatibility Resources | ||
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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD