Rhesus "Rh" disease
Contents
Acceptability at Recruitment
ACCEPT
Acceptability at CT / Work-Up
QUALIFIED
Individual at Risk
Donor / Recipient
Explanation of Condition
A type of "alloimmune" Haemolytic Anaemia affecting the Foetus and Newborn. During pregnancy small amounts of foetal blood cells can enter the mother’s circulation. Certain types of events where this occurs are during childbirth, miscarriage or abortion, trauma, and invasive procedures such as amniocentesis. Once the foetal Rh-positive red blood cells enter the bloodstream of a Rh-negative mothers triggering production of anti-D antibodies. After the first exposure maternal memory immune cells make IgG antibodies, which are smaller and can then cross the placental barrier into the foetal bloodstream marking the foetal red blood cells for destruction causing a foetal haemolytic anaemia.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rh_disease
Guidance
Discuss with medical officer. Establish treatment received - if any blood transfusions received (when and how many) or other e.g. IVIg
Pseudonyms or Related Conditions
Version
Version 1, Edition 1
Date of Last Update
6th May 2026
