Health Library

Rh incompatibility - series

Part 1

Rh incompatibility occurs when the mother's blood type is Rh negative and her fetus' blood type is Rh positive.

Part 2

If some of the fetus' blood passes into the mother's blood stream, her body will produce antibodies in response.

Part 3

These antibodies could pass back through the placenta and harm the fetus' red blood cells, causing mild to serious anemia in the fetus.

Review Date: 1/24/2023  

Reviewed By: Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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