RH Incompatibility Flashcards
● Rh factors are _________determined.
● Rh factors follow a __________ of genetic
inheritance.
● The Rh positive gene is _________(stronger) & even
when paired with an Rh negative gene, the positive
gene takes over.
● A baby receives one gene from the father & one
from the mother.
1.) Genetically
2.) common pattern
3.) Dominant
Rh alloimmunization (sensitization) occurs when:
● An Rh-negative woman carries an Rh-positive fetus
● An Rh-negative nonpregnant woman receives an
Rh-Positive BT
● The RBCs from the fetus invade the maternal
circulation → _________
● __________ is not affected
● In a subsequent pregnancy:
○ Rh antibodies cross the placenta & enter the
fetal circulation → ________
1.) production of Rh antibodies
2.) First offspring
3.) severe hemolysis
REMEMBER!!!
Rh incompatibility is a problem that affects the
fetus; it causes no harm to the expectant mother.
Abnormal amounts of fluid build up in a fetus
or newborn.
Hydrops Fetalis
A severe form of jaundice in newborns.
Icterus Gravis
○ May be described as brain damage in simple
terms.
○ Generally caused by high levels of bilirubin.
Kernicterus
Determines whether there are antibodies to the
Rh factor in the mother’s blood.
Indirect Coomb’s Test
This tells how many times there is a need to
dilute the blood to get rid of the antibodies.
Antibody titer of greater than 1:4 (Positive)
1.) mother has not developed antibodies against the fetus blood
2.) mother has developed antibodies to the fetal RBCs & is sensitized
1.) Normal (Negative) result
2.) Abnormal (Positive) result
The Rh-negative mother who has no antibody titer
(indirect Coomb’s test negative, non sensitized) &
has given birth to an Rh-positive fetus (direct
Coomb’s test negative) is given an
IM injection of Rh immune globulin (RhoGAM) within 72 hours of birth.
A condition where fetal RBCs are destroyed by
maternal antibodies, leading to anemia.
ERYTHROBLASTOSIS FETALIS
