Rhesus haemolytic disease Flashcards
What happens when a RhD -ve mother gives birth to a RhD +ve baby?
Why this leads to rhesus haemolytic disease?
First pregnancy:
Fetal red cells can get into her circulation and may stimulate her to produce anti-D IgG antibodies
In subsequent pregnancies, these can cross the placenta causing Rhesus disease which can attack the babies red blood cells a few months after birth.
How may first pregnancies be affected due to leaks?
Threatened miscarriage APH Mild trauma Amniocentesis Chorionic Villous Sampling External cephalic version
What do we call a severly affected oedematous fetus with stiff, oedematous lungs
Hydrops fetalis
How is Rhesus disease prevented?
All women are offered blood tests as part of their antenatal screening to determine whether their blood is RhD negative or positive.
If the mother is RhD negative, she’ll be offered injections of anti-D immunoglobulin at certain points in her pregnancy when she may be exposed to the baby’s red blood cells.
This anti-D immunoglobulin helps to remove the RhD foetal blood cells before they can cause sensitisation.
Treatment
What is done after birth?
Main medical treatment available?
If an unborn baby does develop rhesus disease, treatment depends on how severe it is.
A blood transfusion to the unborn baby may be needed in more severe cases.
After delivery, the child is likely to be admitted to a neonatal unit (a hospital unit that specialises in caring for newborn babies).
Treatment for rhesus disease after delivery can include a light treatment called phototherapy, blood transfusions, and an injection of a solution of antibodies (intravenous immunoglobulin) to prevent red blood cells being destroyed.
What are complications of it being left untreated?
If rhesus disease is left untreated, severe cases can lead to stillbirth. In other cases, it could lead to brain damage, learning difficulties, deafness and blindness. However, treatment is usually effective and these problems are uncommon.
