Denizli Özel Egekent Hospital Obstetrics and Gynecology Specialist Op. Dr. Arif Saylan explained the details that expectant mothers and fathers should know about the diagnosis of blood incompatibility.
Emphasizing the importance of knowing the blood types of the mother and father in the diagnosis of blood incompatibility, Op. Dr. Arif Saylan said: “Blood incompatibility is a condition related to the RH positive and RH negative values of the parents’ blood groups. It occurs when the mother’s blood is RH negative, the father’s blood is RH positive, and the baby’s blood is also RH positive. In this situation, which arises when the blood types of the mother and her baby differ during pregnancy, the mother’s body begins to produce antibodies against the different blood group in her baby’s blood. When these Rh antibodies formed in the mother pass to the baby, they cause the baby’s blood cells to break down, leading to anemia (low red blood cell count) in the baby. As a result of anemia, the baby’s heart must work harder to pump blood, eventually leading to heart failure and fluid accumulation in body cavities. With fluid accumulating in the baby’s abdominal cavity, chest cavity, skull, and under the skin, a condition called ‘hydrops’ develops. Depending on the severity of the disease and the seriousness of the anemia, even fetal death in the womb can occur. Therefore, it is very important for expectant parents to know their blood groups in the diagnosis of blood incompatibility. If the mother is Rh (+), the father’s blood group loses importance. If the mother is Rh (-) and the father is Rh (+), during pregnancy, the mother’s blood must be screened for Rh antibodies—which normally should not be present—through a test called the indirect Coombs test. After birth, the baby’s blood type must also be examined immediately, and the necessary precautions should be taken without delay.”