Rh Disease & Subsequent Pregnancies: Understanding Risks & Prevention

Rhesus (Rh) disease, also known as erythroblastosis fetalis, can affect subsequent pregnancies if the mother is Rh-negative and the father is Rh-positive or Rh-positive heterozygous. The first child may not be affected because there is usually enough time for the mother's immune system to produce antibodies against the Rh factor during the first pregnancy. However, in subsequent pregnancies, these antibodies can cross the placenta and attack the red blood cells of the fetus, leading to the development of Rh disease. The risk of developing severe Rh disease increases with each subsequent pregnancy. Therefore, it is important for Rh-negative pregnant women to receive Rh immunoglobulin (RhoGAM) after each pregnancy or miscarriage to prevent Rh sensitization and potential complications in future pregnancies.