• Jaundice
• Hypotonia
• Motormental retardation
• Polyhydramnios (before birth)

Signs and tests:

There may be:

• A positive direct Coombs test result
• Higher-than-normal levels of bilirubin in the baby's cord blood
• Signs of red blood cell destruction in the infant's blood
  

Treatment:

Since Rh incompatibility is almost completely preventable with the use of RhoGAM, prevention remains the best treatment. Treatment of the already affected infant depends on the severity of the condition.

Mild Rh incompatibility may be treated with:

• Aggressive hydration
• Phototherapy using bilirubin lights

Expectations (prognosis):

Full recovery is expected for mild Rh incompatibility.

Complications:

Possible complications include:

• Hydrops fetalis
• Kernicterus
• Neurological syndrome with mental deficiency, movement disorder, hearing loss, speech disorder, and seizures

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if you think or know you are pregnant and have not yet seen a doctor.

Prevention:

Rh incompatibility is almost completely preventable. Rh-negative mothers should be followed closely by their obstetricians during pregnancy.

If the father of the infant is Rh-positive, the mother is given a mid-term injection of RhoGAM and a second injection within a few days of delivery.

These injections prevent the development of antibodies against Rh-positive blood. This effectively prevents the condition.

See the RH imcompatibility series 

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