Rh incompatibility Flashcards
What is the rhesus system
part of human blood group system AKA blood group antigens
What does Rh+ or - mean
Rh+ means D antigen is present
Rh- means D antigen is absent
What is alloimmunization
Rh incompatibility that develops after moms immune system has been exposed to Rh+ RBC from baby
What causes alloimmunization
Rh- mom being exposed to Rh+ fetal blood during pregnancy, miscarriage, elective abortion, or surgery
RH antigens cross placenta freely so when moms blood finds these antigens, she develops antibodies against them
Moms antibodies against baby’s Rh antigen causes fetal RBC hemolysis= fetal death
What is RhoGAM
an Rh immunoglobulin that attaches to baby’s Rh+ antigen so mom’s immune system does not recognize it
What are indications of RhoGAM administration and how do you give it
Moms who are NOT alloimmunized
1st dose at 28 weeks for prophylaxis
2nd dose w/in 72 hours of delivering an Rh+ baby
What are examples of when you would give RhoGAM prior to delivery
Amniocentesis
Ectopic pregnancy
Spontaneous or induced abortion
Bleeding during pregnancy
What does Alloimmunization cause to baby
Anemia (hemolytic disease of newborn) (hydrops fetalis- edema, HF)
Hyperbilirubinemia (Kernicterus, newborn jsundice)
How do you treat hemolytic disease of Fetus or newborn
IU infusion, early delivery
How can yuo assess risk of hemolytic disease of newborn
follow maternal D titers
