Highlights & Basics
- Rhesus (Rh) incompatibility is a condition where an Rh-negative mother carrying an Rh-positive fetus can produce antibodies against paternally derived RhD antigens on fetal red blood cells (Rh alloimmunization/sensitization). These antibodies can cross the placenta, and destroy fetal red blood cells. It is a leading cause of hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn.
- Sensitization of the Rh-negative mother is most likely to occur during labor. Once sensitized, the risk of hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn will be higher in subsequent pregnancies. Effective immunoprophylaxis of Rh-negative at-risk mothers is key to primary prevention.
- Intrauterine fetal transfusion and/or early delivery are lifesaving treatments for severely affected fetuses.
- Survival rates are more than 90%.
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American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. ACOG practice bulletin no. 181: prevention of Rh D alloimmunization. Obstet Gynecol. 2017 Aug;130(2):e57-70.[Abstract]
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American Congress of Obstetrics and Gynecology. ACOG practice bulletin no. 192: management of alloimmunization during pregnancy. Obstet Gynecol. 2018 Mar;131(3):e82-90.[Abstract]
Qureshi H, Massey E, Kirwan D, et al. BCSH guideline for the use of anti-D immunoglobulin for the prevention of haemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn. Transfus Med. 2014 Feb;24(1):8-20.[Abstract][Full Text]
Whyte RK, Jefferies AL; Canadian Paediatric Society, Fetus and Newborn Committee. Red blood cell transfusion in newborn infants. Paediatr Child Health. 2014 Apr;19(4):213-22.[Abstract][Full Text]
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