Understanding Rh Incompatibility
Rh incompatibility is quite common and when diagnosed properly, there are good treatment options. This condition happens when a woman with Rh negative blood gets pregnant and the unborn child has Rh positive blood. This causes a blood reaction that can be life threatening if left undiagnosed. However, most obstetricians will screen for this condition.
What happens with Rh incompatibility?
The Rhesus factor, which is more commonly known as the Rh factor, may or may not exist in a person. When a woman has this component, then her blood type is considered Rh positive. If she does not carry this component, then she is considered Rh negative. If a doctor knows that the patient is positive and she is expecting a child, they will run tests on the unborn baby to check for incompatibility. The reason that doctors need to know this is because if a baby is exposed, then the body will see the Rh factor as a foreign substance and will work against it. This can be dangerous to the body.
What are signs of Rh incompatibility? If this condition is left undiagnosed, then there are symptoms that will occur. First of all, an unborn child with this condition will show a slow intrauterine growth. The baby will not grow normally and most obstetricians will notice this as a sign of a problem. In addition, a child with this condition may not move as he or she should. If you are pregnant and find that your unborn child does not move in the womb as much as you think is normal, then it could point to a problem. Small brain, kidneys and even lungs can point to Rh disorders. During routine ultrasounds, the technicians will measure these organs and should note any irregularities. Last of all, an unborn child may die and be stillborn.
Those are all symptoms that point to Rh incompatibilities in an unborn child. However, if it is still undiagnosed, there are signs that the child will exhibit. These symptoms include severe forms of jaundice, or yellowing of the skin. Many times jaundice will cause yellowing of the eyes and can lead to high levels of bilirubin. A baby with this condition may also exhibit paleness of the skin, a bruise-like rash all over the body, enlarged spleen or liver and seizures. Of course, other symptoms may arise that are less common. These could include heart problem such as swelling of the heart and poor muscle tone. Some infants will also have an unusual high pitched cry and difficulty breathing.
The only way to make sure that this disease does not affect a child is for a woman with a positive Rh factor to not have children. That is not always feasible, as some women do not even know. However, if you find that you are expecting and your unborn child faces this condition, there are treatment options. Injections can be given to help. This therapy will help the child’s body adjust to the blood condition and live a normal life.
Recommended Reading
- Rh Incompatibility In Pregnancy
- Rh Incompatibility A Blood Disorder That Affects Mom And Baby
- Understanding Blood Disorders
