This archive report was first published on 7 July 2021.
When couples embark on the journey of parenthood, they often face numerous challenges, including fertility and pregnancy issues. However, one often-overlooked complication is Rhesus incompatibility, a condition that can have devastating consequences for both mother and baby.
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Rhesus incompatibility occurs when a woman with Rh-negative blood is pregnant with a baby who has Rh-positive blood. This can lead to the mother's immune system producing antibodies against the baby's blood, potentially causing harm to the fetus.
Dr. Daisy Aluso, a medical practitioner at Bungoma County Referral Hospital, explains that if a pregnant woman is RhD negative and her partner is RhD positive, there is a chance that the baby could be RhD positive. 'Your body will then react to the baby's blood by creating antibodies against the baby's Rh-positive blood,' she says.
While the antibodies may not cause significant problems during the first pregnancy, they can lead to complications in subsequent pregnancies. 'These antibodies can cross the placenta and destroy the baby's blood cells leading to a condition called Rhesus disease or Hemolytic disease of the newborn,' Dr. Aluso warns.
So, how can Rhesus incompatibility be prevented? Dr. Aluso advises that all women should be tested during their antenatal screening to determine whether their blood is Rh-negative or positive. 'Hemolytic disease can usually be prevented using injections of anti-D immunoglobulin,' she explains.
However, if the mother has already developed anti-D antibodies from a sensitizing event in a previous pregnancy, the anti-D shots will not be effective. 'These injections only work during the first pregnancy to prevent the anti-D antibodies from forming,' Dr. Aluso clarifies.
Ultimately, Rhesus disease is preventable, and it is essential that all mothers attend antenatal clinics so that they can be advised accordingly. Couples are also advised to know their blood types before committing to having children.
