Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Rh disease medical therapy
Introduction
Overview
Overview
Medical Therapy
Medical Therapy
Antenatal
- Ultrasound – to detect and monitor hydrops fetalis
- Quantitative analysis of maternal anti-RhD antibodies – an increasing level is a sign of fetal Rh disease[1]
- Intrauterine blood transfusion
- Intraperitoneal transfusion – blood transfused into fetal abdomen
- Intravascular transfusion – blood transfused into fetal umbilical vein – This is more modern and more effective than intraperitoneal transfusion. A sample of fetal blood can be taken from the umbilical vein prior to the transfusion.
- Early delivery (usually after about 36 wks gestation)
Postnatal
- Phototherapy for neonatal jaundice in mild disease
- Exchange transfusion if the neonate has moderate or severe disease (the blood for transfusion must be less than a week old, Rh negative, ABO compatible with both the fetus and the mother, and be cross matched against the mothers serum)
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]