rh incompatibility
A doctor explains Rh incompatibility to expectant parents using a medical chart.
Noun: A medical condition arising from the incompatibility between Rh-positive and Rh-negative blood types. This occurs when an Rh-negative individual is exposed to Rh-positive blood, potentially leading to a harmful immune response that destroys red blood cells (hemolysis), resulting in anemia. It is most commonly a concern in pregnancy when an Rh-negative mother carries an Rh-positive baby.
This term is used specifically in medical contexts to describe a blood type mismatch and its consequences. * The doctor tested for Rh incompatibility early in the pregnancy. * Rh incompatibility is a preventable cause of hemolytic disease in newborns. * A blood transfusion error led to a dangerous case of Rh incompatibility.
- Maternal-fetal Rh incompatibility: Specifically describes the condition when an Rh-negative mother's immune system produces antibodies against her Rh-positive fetus's blood cells.
- Preventative treatment can manage the risks of maternal-fetal Rh incompatibility.
- Rh factor (noun): The antigen (protein) present on the surface of red blood cells in Rh-positive individuals.
- Hemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN) (noun): A potential serious consequence of Rh incompatibility.
- Erythroblastosis fetalis (noun): A severe form of HDN caused by Rh incompatibility.
- Rh disease
- Rhesus isoimmunization (a more technical term for the immune response)
- Rh immune globulin (RhoGAM): The medication given to Rh-negative mothers to prevent Rh incompatibility.
- The injection of Rh immune globulin at 28 weeks prevents sensitization.
A doctor explains Rh incompatibility to expectant parents using a medical chart.
- incompatibility of Rh blood types; a transfusion of Rh-positive blood given to a Rh-negative person (or vice versa) can result in hemolysis and anemia