Rhesus Antibody Testing

Learning Outcomes Generally mothers show no immune response to their foetus although sensitisation to Rhesus antigens can occur. Anti-Rhesus antibodies are given to Rhesus negative mothers after a potentially sensitising event and after birth.

Rhesus negative mother, rhesus positive baby A problem arises when a Rhesus-negative mother is pregnant with a Rhesus-positive baby Rhesus antigens on the surface of the baby’s red blood cells are regarded as ‘foreign’ by the mother’s immune system if she comes into contact with them at a ‘sensitising event’ such as birth

After the birth.... The mother is given anti-Rhesus antibodies to destroy any of the Rhesus antigens left behind before the mother’s immune system has time to respond to them (and become ‘sensitised’) If she became sensitised she would see any future Rhesus-positive foetus as ‘foreign’

1. What problem may arise with a rhesus- negative mother during pregnancy? 2. What is given to the mother, following birth? 3. What would be the result of a mother becoming ‘sensitised’?

1. What problem may arise with a rhesus- negative mother during pregnancy? A problem arises when a Rhesus-negative mother is pregnant with a Rhesus-positive baby 2. What is given to the mother, following birth? The mother is given anti-Rhesus antibodies to destroy any of the Rhesus antigens left behind before the mother’s immune system has time to respond to them (and become ‘sensitised’) 3. What would be the result of a mother becoming ‘sensitised’? If she became sensitised she would see any future Rhesus-positive foetus as ‘foreign’