title: [Rhesus-erythroblastosis. Diagnosis, therapy, prevention].
abstract: In consequence of feto-maternal disagreement within the rhesus-system the antibody production by the mother's immunogenic system can be initiated. Those rhesus-antibodies penetrate through the placental barrier and -- due to a massive heamolysis of the fetal erythrocytes -- they cause the principal symptoms such as anaemia, jaundice of the new born and hydrops congenitus universalis. Consequently adhered to screening examinations during pregnancy along with routine examinations of blood-group and antibody-titers help to determine a predisposition to as well as manifest incompatibilities. If antibody levels are suspiciously high, amniocentesis must be performed repeatedly. A possible severe damage to the child can be prevented by intrauterine blood-transfusion and by induced termination of labour or termination of pregnancy before date. The rhesus-injured newborn must be transferred immediately to an intensive-care-unit. In case of pronounced augmentation of the bilirubin-titer photo-therapy should be tried along with one or more blood-exchange transfusions. The formation of rhesus-antibodies can be prevented by prophylaxis with immunoglobulin-G-anti-D. The principle of this method is the suppression of maternal immune-response by application of 250-300 mug anti-D to the rhesus-negative mother after the birth of a rhesus-positive child.
mesh_terms: D000649:Amniocentesis; D000917:Antibody Formation; D004899:Erythroblastosis, Fetal / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy; D005078:Exchange Transfusion, Whole Blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000008:administration & dosage; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007518:Isoantibodies; D010789:Phototherapy; D011247:Pregnancy; D012204:Rh-Hr Blood-Group System
chemical_list: D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007518:Isoantibodies; D012204:Rh-Hr Blood-Group System
vernacular_title: Rhesus-Erythroblastose. Diagnosis, Therapie, Prophylaxe