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SWATILEKHA DAS
(RN,MSN)
INTRODUCTION
Rh incompatibility is a condition that
occurs during pregnancy if a woman
has Rh-negative blood and her baby
has Rh-positive blood.
DEFINITION
Rh disease (also known rhesus
isoimmunisation, as Rh (D)
incompatibility, rhesus
disease,
disease, RhD hemolytic
rhesus
disease of the newborn, rhesus D hemolytic
disease of the newborn or RhD HDN) is a type
of hemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN).
1st Pregnancy
Fetus (RhD+)
Maternal IgG anti-D
crosses placenta.
Severe
Incresed billirubin. Mild case
CNS Mild anemia,
damage(kernict jaundice
erus), death.
Note: If mother is sensitized to RhD antigen prior to first pregnancy, then first fetus will
be affected.
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS OF RH
INCOMPATIBILITY
It can cause symptoms ranging from very mild to
fatal.
Mildest form – Rh Incompatibility:
1. Hemolysis
2. Jaundice
3. Total body swelling
4. Respiratory distress
5. Circulatory collapse
6. Kernicterus
7. It occurs several days after delivery and is
characterized initially by-
A. Poor feeding
B. Decreased activity
DIAGNOSTIC TESTS
MATERNAL BLOOD-
The Kleihauer-betke test or
flow cytometry
Indirect coombs test
FETAL BLOOD-
• The direct Coombs test
• Blood count
• Billirubin(direct & indirect)
TREATMENT
Rh incompatibility is treated with a medicine called Rh immunoglobulin.
Treatment for a baby who has hemolytic anemia will vary based on the
severity of the condition.
Goals of Treatment
The goals of treating Rh incompatibility are to ensure that baby is healthy
and to lower mother’s risk for the condition in future pregnancies.