Incompatibility between an infant’s blood type and that of its mother during pregnancy. It results in destruction of the infant’s red blood cells (hemolytic anemia) during gestation and after birth by antibodies from its mother’s blood.
Causes of Rh Incompatibility
Cause is inherited. The fetus of an Rh-negative (blood type) mother and an Rh-positive father may be Rh-positive. During delivery, some of the infant’s blood is absorbed by the mother through the placenta, stimulating her body to produce antibodies against the Rh-positive blood. The antibodies are produced after delivery, and therefore the first baby is not affected. With future pregnancies, however, the mother's antibodies destroy fetal blood cells. This can result in anemia and death. If the baby lives, antibodies can cross to baby during the birth process. This results in jaundice and other symptoms shortly after birth.
Signs and Symptoms of Rh Incompatibility
Symptoms during pregnancy: decreased fetal growth, and decreased fetal movement. Symptoms in a newborn: paleness, jaundice (yellow skin and eyes) that begins within 24 hours after delivery, unexplained bruising or blood spots under the skin, tissue swelling (edema), breathing difficulty, seizures, lack of normal movement, and poor reflex response.
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Medical Content Last Updated on 07/12/2008
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