Rhesus Haemolytic Disease of the Newborn

Elizabeth A Letsky, Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital, London, UK

Published online: April 2001

DOI: 10.1038/npg.els.0002290

Rhesus (Rh) haemolytic disease of the newborn arises from maternal anti-D immunoglobulin (Ig) G antibodies which cross the placenta and are directed against paternally derived D antigens which the fetus carries and the mother lacks. Untreated, this condition can result in intrauterine death from anaemia and cardiac failure (hydrops) or neonatal neurological problems and death following the development of severe jaundice and kernicterus.

Keywords: Rh alloimmunization; anti-D prophylaxis; hydrops; in-utero transfusion; kernicterus

 References
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    Queenan JT (1999) Management of Rh-immunized pregnancies. Prenatal Diagnosis 19: 852–855.
    book Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (1999) Use of Anti-D Immunoglobulin for Rh Prophylaxis – Greentop Guidelines No. 22. London: RCOG.

Related Sub-Topics:

Genes, Molecules and Cellular Processes | Developmental Disorders | Inter-Individual Variation and Polymorphism
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Article Title: Rhesus Haemolytic Disease of the Newborn
 
How to Cite close
Letsky, Elizabeth A(Apr 2001) Rhesus Haemolytic Disease of the Newborn. In: eLS. John Wiley & Sons Ltd, Chichester. http://www.els.net [doi: 10.1038/npg.els.0002290]