Rh Isoimmunization Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards for reviewing Rh isoimmunization lecture notes.

Rh Isoimmunization

Condition where a Rh negative mother is exposed to an Rh positive fetus.

Rhesus Disease

Another name for Rh isoimmunization, referring to the potential harm to the fetus.

Antibodies in Rh Isoimmunization

Rh negative mothers develop these against Rh positive fetal blood cells.

Hemolytic Disease

Possible result of maternal antibodies attacking fetal RBCs, causing fetal anemia.

Rh Incompatibility

Condition when an Rh- mother carries an Rh+ baby and her immune system views the baby as a foreign body.

Maternal Effect of Rh Incompatibility

Rh incompatibility does not directly harm the mother.

Fetal Risk of Rh Incompatibility

Rh incompatibility can cause harm to the fetus.

First Pregnancy Complications (Rh)

Complications are rare in the first pregnancy with Rh-negative mother and Rh-positive fetus.

Blood Mixing in First Pregnancy

During the first pregnancy, fetal blood may not mix with the mother's blood, hence no antibody production.

Cause of Antibody Development

Mixing of maternal and fetal blood during delivery can lead to the mother's body developing antibodies.

Subsequent Pregnancies (Rh)

In subsequent pregnancies, maternal antibodies can cross the placenta and attack fetal red blood cells.

Vaginal Deliveries & Blood Mixing

Mixing of maternal and fetal blood mostly occurs during vaginal deliveries.

C-Section Delivery & Blood Mixing

Blood mixing is less likely with C-section unless there is damage to the placenta.

Hemolytic Anemia (Complication)

A potential complication of Rh incompatibility in the fetus.

Jaundice (Complication)

A complication of Rh incompatibility caused by increased bilirubin.

Kernicterus

Brain damage in the fetus caused by increased bilirubin from Rh incompatibility.

Enlarged Spleen (Complication)

Potential complication of Rh incompatibility in the fetus.

Hydrops Fetalis

Accumulation of fluid in the baby's body, a complication of Rh incompatibility.

Stillbirth (Complication)

A potential outcome of severe Rh incompatibility.

Rh Immunoglobulin (Rho-Gam)

Treatment given at 28 weeks of pregnancy to prevent sensitization.

Rho-Gam Post Delivery

Another injection of Rho-Gam given within 72 hours after delivery to prevent sensitization.

Intrauterine Blood Transfusion

Treatment option for Rh incompatibility in the fetus.

Maternal-Fetal Monitoring

Important aspect of managing Rh incompatibility.

Rh Factor

A protein on the surface of red blood cells; its presence determines Rh-positive status.

Sensitization (Rh)

The process by which an Rh-negative mother develops antibodies against Rh-positive blood cells.

Foreign Body

How the mother's immune system perceives the Rh-positive baby in Rh incompatibility.

Fetal Anemia

A condition in the fetus caused by the destruction of red blood cells due to Rh incompatibility.

Placenta

The organ that connects the developing fetus to the mother's uterus to allow nutrient uptake, waste elimination, and gas exchange via the mother's blood supply.

Red Blood Cells (RBCs)

Blood cells that carry oxygen from the lungs to the body's tissues and carbon dioxide as a waste product back to the lungs.

Immune System

A complex network of cells, tissues, organs, and the substances they make that helps the body fight infections and other diseases.

Bilirubin

A yellowish pigment made during the normal breakdown of red blood cells.

Antibody

A protein produced by the body's immune system when it detects harmful substances, called antigens.

Intrauterine

Within the uterus.

Transfusion

The process of transferring blood or blood products from one person (the donor) to another (the recipient).

Monitoring

The act of observing something for a period of time.

Prevention (Rh)

The aim of treatment to stop the mother from producing harmful antibodies.

Treatment Goals

Preventing the mother's body from producing antibodies and managing the complications in the fetus.

Delivery

The birth of a baby.

Damage to Placenta

Can cause mixing of maternal and fetal blood.

Potentially Lead to Fetal Death

Rh incompatibility can result in this outcome in subsequent pregnancies.

Rh

Refers to the Rhesus factor, an inherited protein on the surface of red blood cells.

RBC

Abbreviation for red blood cell.

IgG

The type of antibody that can cross the placenta and attack fetal red blood cells.

Management of Rh Incompatibility

Involves prevention with Rho-Gam and monitoring of the fetus for complications.

Diagnosis (Rh)

Involves blood tests to determine the mother's Rh status and antibody levels.

Complications

Undesirable outcomes of Rh isoimmunization that affect the fetus.

Fetal Brain Damage

A potential outcome of severe jaundice (kernicterus) in the fetus.

Severity of Rh Incompatibility

Ranges from mild anemia to severe hydrops fetalis and stillbirth.

Goal of Intrauterine Transfusion

To provide the fetus with healthy red blood cells and prevent anemia.

72 Hours

The time frame after delivery within which Rho-Gam is given to the mother.

Medical intervention

Actions taken by doctors in order to improve a patient's health.

Close Monitoring

Regular visits or checks by medical professionals.

Prevention

Taking steps to stop something occurring.

Outcome

The result or final event of a process or situation.

Antibody screening

A test to detect antibodies present in the bloodstream.

Medical condition

A state of health or physical problem that requires medical attention.

Immune response

How the body protects itself from harmful substance.

Transfusion

An invasive procedure where red bold cells are introduced to counteract low blood count.

Medical History

Information about your previous health conditions.

Blood typing

A way to separate blood into different subcategories based on the presence of certain proteins.

Medical test

A process conducted during care to evaluate a person.

Unborn child

A fetus or baby developing in the womb.

Pregnancy

The state of carrying a developing embryo or fetus within the female body.

Foreign

Coming from or belonging to a different place or country.

Delivery

The action of delivering a baby.

Health Outcome

How the development affects the person physically, mentally, and socially.

Immune Globulin

Medical products which boost immunes.

Injection

A shot.

Sensitization

When one becomes immunologically responsive.

Rhesus Blood

The system categorized by the presence of the D antigen.

Injection

Putting a substance into a subject using a needle.

Immune System

System in body protecting against pathogens.

Incompatible

Not able to exit together.

Blood Test

A diagnostic evaluation.

Mother

Person carrying child.

Fetus

Unborn baby.

Condition

Ailment affecting health.

Antibody Production

Making antibodies as a protective measure.

Placental Damage

Harm to connecting organ.

Blood Group

Classification based on inherited differences.

Surgical

Medical procedure involving cutting.

Mixing

Blending of substances together.

Complications

Problems from medical condition.

Preventive Measures

Steps to stop an outcome.

Positive Result

Detection of characteristic.

Treatment Options

Available solutions for health conditions.

Rh factor

A specific protein that may or may not be present in human blood.

Antibodies

Proteins that attack foreign substances.

Amniocentesis

A procedure where amiotic fluid is extracted for testing.

Blood transfusion

A procedure that involves injecting blood taken from someone else.

Invasive procedure

An intervention requiring insertion of external devices into the body.

Rh-Positive Fetus

A fetus with Rh factor on their red blood cells.

Immune response

An action by the body to fight harmful substances.

Rh-Negative

An individual without the Rh factor.

High bilirubin levels

Excessive amounts of a bile pigment in the blood.

Fetal monitoring

Regularly checking fetal biometrics.

Anemia

Reduction in red blood cells or hemoglobin.

Blood cells

Made in bone marrow.

Mixing of blood

Happens more with vaginal delivery.

Severe Cases

Can lead to permanent mental disorders.