|  | Conditions Treatments | Blood Disorders

RH Negative Reactions in Infants

Rhesus (Rh) factor is an inherited characteristic that refers to a certain protein found on the surface of red blood cells. The protein is not present in an Rh-negative mother's blood, and if the father is Rh positive, there's a chance that the fetus will experience the effects of Rh incompatibility. The fetus' Rh-positive red blood cells can pass into its mother's bloodstream through the placenta. If this occurs, complications can arise when the mother's blood produces antibodies that fight the perceived "foreign invader" -- the fetus' red blood cells containing the Rh factor.

  1. Who Is at Risk?

    • In the United States, the highest risk of Rh incompatibility is among white women -- 15%, which also happens to be the overall percentage of people who are Rh negative. Among Hispanic and African American women, the percentage is lower -- 5% to 8% -- and is only 1% among Asian and Native American women, according to the March of Dimes. Usually, a woman's firstborn infant is not at risk, unless the mother had a past abortion or miscarriage, since it takes time for the antibodies to build up in her blood system. However, all babies that a woman has after her firstborn who are Rh-positive are at risk of being affected. The condition does not affect the mother's health.

    Symptoms

    • The chances of fatal complications have been reduced in the United States due to prenatal care and blood-type testing. When a pregnant woman does not receive proper prenatal care and her child is born with Rh incompatibility, symptoms will be evident. The baby's skin and whites of its eye will turn yellow -- a condition called jaundice. Other symptoms include anemia, lethargy and weak muscle tone.

    Complications

    • According to Medline Plus, severe complications, including seizures, brain damage, fluid buildup in the baby's body, and movement, mental-functioning, speech and hearing problems, can occur. Recovery from mild Rh incompatibility is usually 100%. Severe complications are often preventable with proper prenatal testing and treatment.

    Prevention

    • A simple blood test can determine whether a mother is Rh negative. Treatment includes an immune globulin, called RhoGHAM. The globulin can prevent RH incompatibility before a baby is born. The mother receives an injection during her second trimester of pregnancy -- if the father is Rh positive or his Rh is unknown. The mother receives a second RhoGHAM injection after childbirth, and during every pregnancy thereafter.

Blood Disorders - Related Articles