What Is Rhesus Disease?
Rhesus disease is a condition which affects an unborn baby when its mother’s immune system generates antibodies which attack the baby’s red blood cells. Pregnant women do not display any symptoms, but babies born with this disease often have anemia and jaundice. Rhesus disease was once very common in women with certain blood types, but is now relatively rare, as it can be prevented with a simple injection. This condition is also called Rh (D) disease, or hemolytic disease of the newborn.
Rhesus disease is a condition which affects an unborn baby when its mother’s immune system generates antibodies which attack the baby’s red blood cells. Pregnant women do not display any symptoms, but babies born with this disease often have anemia and jaundice. Rhesus disease was once very common in women with certain blood types, but is now relatively rare, as it can be prevented with a simple injection. This condition is also called Rh (D) disease, or hemolytic disease of the newborn. The term Rh (D) refers to a protein called Rhesus factor D. This protein is present on the surface of red blood cells in people who are said to be Rhesus-positive. Not all people are Rhesus-positive; those who do not have the Rhesus factor D protein are said to be Rhesus-negative.
