A 28-year-old woman is 30 weeks pregnant with her second child and is being seen for a scheduled obstetric visit. Her first pregnancy and delivery was uncomplicated, and she has a healthy 2-year-old girl. It is known that the mother is Rh-, and this child could be at risk for hemolytic disease of the newborn. She received RhoGAM with her first pregnancy.
-What type of hypersensitivity reaction is the fetus at risk for upon delivery?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The fetus is at risk for Type II hypersensitivity reaction, also known as antibody-mediated cytotoxic hypersensitivity. This is because the mother is Rh- and the fetus could potentially be Rh+. If the fetus is Rh+ and some of its blood enters into the mother's circulation during delivery, the mother's immune system can produce antibodies against the Rh factor. These antibodies can then cross the placenta and attack the fetal red blood cells, leading to hemolytic disease of the newborn. RhoGAM is given to prevent this by binding to any Rh+ fetal blood cells in the mother's circulation and preventing her from producing Rh antibodies.

A 28-Year-Old Woman Is 30 Weeks Pregnant with Her Second