What is Rh Isoimmunization?

Rh isoimmunization is a preventable disease in which an Rh-negative mother develops antibodies against paternal Rh antigen on fetal RBCs.

What is Isoimmunization Rh incompatibility?

Isoimmunization (Sometimes called Rh sensitization, hemolytic disease of the fetus, Rh incompatibility) What is isoimmunization? A condition that happens when a pregnant woman’s blood protein is incompatible with the baby’s, causing her immune system to react and destroy the baby’s blood cells.

What causes Rh Isoimmunization?

The most common cause of Rh incompatibility is exposure from an Rh-negative mother by Rh-positive fetal blood during pregnancy or delivery.

How can RH Isoimmunization be prevented?

Prevention. Rh incompatibility can be prevented with an injection of Rh immune globulin at week 28 of the pregnancy. A second injection will be given within 72 hours after delivery. The injections will block the mother’s body from developing antibodies.

When does RH Isoimmunization occur?

A baby’s Rh status is determined from the mother and father. If the mother is Rh negative and the father is Rh positive, the baby has at least a 50% chance of being Rh positive. However, Rh isoimmunization will only happen if the baby’s Rh-positive blood enters the mother’s blood flow.

What is Rh incompatibility PDF?

Rh incompatibility [5] occurs when a pregnant woman whose blood type is Rh-negative is exposed to Rh-positive blood from her fetus [6], leading to the mother’s development of Rh antibodies.

Who is at risk for Rh Isoimmunization?

Who is at risk for Rh incompatibility? A woman who is Rh-negative is at risk for Rh incompatibility when she becomes pregnant. Rh incompatibility happens only when the father of the baby is Rh-positive. Doctors do not routinely test men’s Rh status.

How do you manage isoimmunization?

Intrauterine Transfusion (IUT) IUT is considered to be most effective in management of isoimmunized pregnancy where fetus is anemic and not mature enough to be delivered. If IUT is not done, fetus is at the risk of developing hydrops and dying in utero.

How does Bloodcompatibility affect pregnancy?

Rh incompatibility does not affect pregnant women. In a baby, it can cause hemolytic anemia. Hemolytic anemia causes a baby’s red blood cells to be destroyed faster than they can be replaced. The effects of hemolytic anemia can range from mild to severe.

What are the risk factors for Rh alloimmunization?

The study found that older age, female gender, Rh negative status, and certain diagnoses (such as sickle cell disease, autoimmune conditions) were associated with a higher likelihood of a positive alloantibody screen, thus confirming the known risk factors for development of RBC alloantibodies.

How is Rh alloimmunization diagnosed?

Common tests for diagnosing Alloimmunization include: A blood test to detect antibodies that are stuck to the surface of red blood cells (known as a direct Coombs test) Testing of either or both the father of the baby or the fetus by amniocentesis to determine the fetus’ blood type.