Rh incompatibility

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Overview	Symptoms	Treatment	Prevention

Rh incompatibility

Alternative Names

Rh-induced hemolytic disease of the newborn

Treatment

Since Rh incompatibility is almost completely preventable with the use of RhoGAM, prevention remains the best treatment. Treatment of the already affected infant depends on the severity of the condition.

Mild Rh incompatibility may be treated with:

Aggressive hydration
Phototherapy using bilirubin lights

Outlook (Prognosis)

Full recovery is expected for mild Rh incompatibility.

Possible Complications

Possible complications include:

Hydrops fetalis
Kernicterus
Neurological syndrome with mental deficiency, movement disorder, hearing loss, speech disorder, and seizures

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Call your health care provider if you think or know you are pregnant and have not yet seen a doctor.


Erythroblastosis fetalis, photomicrograph


Jaundice infant


Antibodies


Exchange transfusion - series


Rh Incompatibility - series

Review Date: 10/15/2007
Reviewed By: Deirdre O’Reilly, MD, MPH, Neonatologist, Division of Newborn Medicine, Children’s Hospital Boston and Instructor in Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts. Review Provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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