Management of Rh Incompatibility
Once the risk of Rh incompatibility is found, the following steps can be
taken to ensure the safety of the
mother and baby:
Diagnosis :
○ The mothers blood can be tested
for antibodies against Rh factor.
○ Ultrasonography can show if fluid has accumulated in the baby’s body and Doppler can show blood flow to the brain.
○ sample from amniotic fluid and
umbilical cord can show signs of
RBC breakdown- increase in bilirubin

Treatment Plan During Pregnancy
- intrauterine blood transfusion
- early delivery.
Managing Complications (HDN and kernicterus):
- single or multiple blood
transfusions. - Plasmapheresis can be done to
clear the bilirubin from the baby’s
plasma - Phototherapy is done to treat the
jaundice. - Liver transplant is required if the
liver gets damaged beyond recovery.
Cost of Treatment
- Management of this condition is
without doubt, expensive . The baby
might require NICU(neonatal ICU)
facilities if the condition is severe and
additional ventilator assistance. - Furthermore, any brain damage
and hearing or visual impairment will
require life-long care and
rehabilitation. - Knowing this information, one can
understandably presume that the
most cost effective option is
PREVENTION.
Rh immunoglobulin: what Anti Rho-D Injections do:
Rh incompatibility is a consequence
of the mother producing antibodies to the Rh factor during her first
pregnancy.
An effective method of preventing
this from happening is to give her,
what is known as, Rh
immunoglobulins in any event she
might be exposed to Rh positive
blood.
The immunoglobulin will neutralise the Rh D antigen before she has a chance to produce antibodies against it.
This protects any children she plans on having in the future.
The Rh immunoglobulin is given
each and every time the mother is likely to get sensitised before the delivery of the first baby can be given within 72 hours after
the delivery as well.
In case of miscarriage It is extremely effective in preventing
Rh disease.
The immunoglobulin should not be
given to the baby or the Rh positive
father