Symptoms of perinatal haemolytic disease

If an Rh-negative woman becomes pregnant with an Rh-positive baby, the baby is often unaffected in the first pregnancy. However, the mother has become isoimmunised against the Rh factor, i.e. she has started to produce antibodies against the Rh factor.

Therefore, in a subsequent pregnancy with an Rh-positive baby, the anti-Rh antibodies produced can cross the placenta and attack the foetal red blood cells. This can cause perinatal haemolytic disease, which can cause severe symptoms such as those shown in the picture and can even lead to the death of the baby.