Rh Incompatibility and Isoimmunization Symptoms

Symptoms and complications only affect the fetus and/or newborn. They occur when standard preventive measures are not taken and can vary from mild to very serious. The mother's health is not affected.

Symptoms of the fetus or newborn baby include:

• Anemia
• Swelling of the body (also called hydrops fetalis), which may be associated with:
  • Heart failure
  • Respiratory problems
• Kernicterus (a neurological syndrome), which can occurs in stages:
  • Early:
    • High bilirubin level (greater than 18 mg/cc)
    • Extreme Jaundice
    • Absent startle reflex
    • Poor suck
    • Lethargy
  • Intermediate:
    • High-pitched cry
    • Arched back with neck hyperextended backwards (opisthotonos)
    • Bulging fontanel (soft spot)
    • Seizure Disorder
  • Late:
    • High-pitched hearing loss
    • Intellectual Disability
    • Muscle rigidity
    • Speech difficulties
    • Seizures
    • Movement disorder