Elizabeth is 20 weeks pregnant with her second child. Eizabeth\'s blood type is

Question

Elizabeth is 20 weeks pregnant with her second child. Eizabeth's blood type is AB negative (AB^-). Her physician is concerned about the possibility of a reaction between Elizabeth's blood and the baby's blood because of the blood type of the baby's father. The physician prescribes RhoGAM for Elizabeth. RhoGAM contains immunoglobulin's that prevent Elizabeth from producing Rh antibodies (Anti-D antibodies). What does the physician fear may be a complication with this pregnancy in the event that RhoGAM is not administered?

Explanation / Answer

Answer: -"Erythroblastosis foetalis".

**Erythroblastosis fetalis is hemolytic anemia in the fetus (or neonate, as erythroblastosis neonatorum) caused by transplacental transmission of maternal antibodies to fetal RBCs.

**The disorder usually results from incompatibility between maternal and fetal blood groups, often Rh0(D) antigens.

**If the fetus is Rh positive, there is a risk that some of its Rh positive blood cells will get into the mother's bloodstream during the pregnancy or delivery and mix with her Rh negative blood.

**If Left untreated, the mother's blood will make antibodies that attack the Rh positive blood of the fetus.

**Rho(D) immune globulin is used to prevent antibodies from forming after a person with Rh-negative blood receives a transfusion with Rh-positive blood, or during pregnancy when a mother has Rh-negative blood and the baby is Rh-positive.

**Rh(D) immune globulin is a medication used to prevent Rh isoimmunization in mothers who are Rh negative and to treat idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura in people who are Rh positive.

**It is often given both during and following pregnancy.

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