RHESUS ISOIMMUNIZATION Meaning and
Definition
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Rhesus isoimmunization is a medical condition that occurs when there is an incompatibility between the blood types of a pregnant woman and her developing fetus. It occurs when a woman who is Rh-negative (lacking a protein called RhD antigen on the surface of her red blood cells) carries a fetus who is Rh-positive (having this RhD antigen).
During pregnancy, the woman's immune system may produce antibodies against the fetal RhD antigen, which can cross the placenta and attack the fetus's red blood cells. This immune response is known as isoimmunization or alloimmunization, and it can lead to a condition called hemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN) or fetal erythroblastosis.
Rhesus isoimmunization can have serious consequences for the fetus, including anemia, jaundice, and even stillbirth in severe cases. It is especially relevant in second or subsequent pregnancies, as the woman's immune system may have already been sensitized by a previous Rh-positive baby.
To prevent the development of Rh isoimmunization, Rh-negative pregnant women are typically given injections of Rh immunoglobulin, also known as Rhogam, around 28 weeks of gestation and within 72 hours after any event that might lead to the mixing of the mother's and fetus's blood, such as delivery, miscarriage, or invasive procedures. Rh immunoglobulin works by preventing the woman's immune system from producing antibodies against the fetal RhD antigen.
In summary, rhesus isoimmunization refers to the immune response that occurs when an Rh-negative mother becomes sensitized to her Rh-positive fetus's blood, potentially leading to hemolytic disease of the newborn. Timely administration of Rh immunoglobulin can help prevent this
Common Misspellings for RHESUS ISOIMMUNIZATION
- ehesus isoimmunization
- dhesus isoimmunization
- fhesus isoimmunization
- thesus isoimmunization
- 5hesus isoimmunization
- 4hesus isoimmunization
- rgesus isoimmunization
- rbesus isoimmunization
- rnesus isoimmunization
- rjesus isoimmunization
- ruesus isoimmunization
- ryesus isoimmunization
- rhwsus isoimmunization
- rhssus isoimmunization
- rhdsus isoimmunization
- rhrsus isoimmunization
- rh4sus isoimmunization
- rh3sus isoimmunization
- rheaus isoimmunization
- rhezus isoimmunization
Etymology of RHESUS ISOIMMUNIZATION
The word "Rhesus" in "Rhesus Isoimmunization" references the Rhesus factor, which is a protein found on the surface of red blood cells. The term originated from the Rhesus macaque monkey, as its blood was initially used in early experiments to identify this protein. The "Rhesus factor" was later named after the monkey from which it was first identified.
"Isoimmunization" is a term derived from two distinct components. "Iso-" is a prefix that indicates equality or similarity, and "immunization" refers to the process of inducing immunity or resistance to a specific disease or antigen. In the context of "Rhesus Isoimmunization", it refers to the immune response that occurs when a person's immune system recognizes and produces antibodies against the Rhesus factor.
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