P55.0: Rh isoimmunization of fetus and newborn

During the period in the womb or shortly after the birth, antibodies destroyed red cells in the child's blood.

Blood is made up of a liquid part and different blood cells, among other things. The blood cells include the red blood cells, the white blood cells and the platelets. The red blood cells carry oxygen from the lungs throughout the body. In red blood cells there are particular characteristics. These characteristics are used as the basis for differentiating between blood groups. A distinction is drawn, for example, between the rhesus positive and rhesus negative factors.

If the mother and the unborn child have different factors, the mother's body can produce antibodies. This is the case if the mother is rhesus negative and the unborn child is rhesus positive. The mother's antibodies attack the child's red blood cells. In certain cases these antibodies can get to the child and damage its red blood cells. This can create problems for the child.

If the antibodies damage the red blood cells, the child may have too few red blood cells in its blood. The blood can then no longer transport as much oxygen. Damaged blood cells get broken down in the body. The by-products from the red blood cells can also accumulate in certain parts of the body. The by-products can make the eyes or skin turn yellow, for example.