Rh incompatibility

People without Rh factor on the surface of their blood cells are Rh-negative and have Rh incompatibility with blood that is Rh-positive. This incompatibility means that when exposed to Rh-positive blood, the immune systems of people with Rh-negative blood produce antibodies that cause Rh-positive blood cells to be destroyed.

Pregnancy and blood transfusions are the two most common ways that a person with Rh-negative blood can be exposed to Rh-positive blood.

In a woman with Rh-negative blood who has been exposed at least once to Rh factor (usually from a previous pregnancy), this immune system response can cause serious problems during a future pregnancy if the fetus has Rh-positive blood. The mother's immune system produces Rh antibodies that cross the placenta and attack the fetal blood cells. This can be prevented by giving the mother an injection of antibodies, called RhoGAM.

People requiring blood transfusions have Rh testing and are given only compatible blood.

Current as of: April 30, 2024

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff

Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.

 
 

PeaceHealth endeavors to provide comprehensive health care information, however some topics in this database describe services and procedures not offered by our providers or within our facilities because they do not comply with, nor are they condoned by, the ethics policies of our organization.

Health Information Library