Maternal-fetal incompatibility: an integrative review

Abstract

The purpose of this work is to review the literature on the cause of fetal erythroblastosis, especially its treatment, immunological aspects and diagnosis. Fetal erythroblastosis is known as hemolytic disease of the newborn; this disorder causes the destruction of the fetus' red blood cells by antibodies in the mother's blood when they meet the child's RH-positive blood. This complication causes several problems for the developing fetus and the mother. In the fetus, it causes jaundice, anemia, heart failure, brain damage, fetal hydrops, deafness, and mental problems. In the mother, it can cause ectopic pregnancy, abdominal trauma, vaginal bleeding during pregnancy, premature placental abruption; and the most serious: miscarriage. Prenatal care is extremely important so that these pregnant women receive good care and have a quality pregnancy that is healthy for their fetus. The study will discuss the identification of erythroblastosis, the importance of preventive knowledge and monitoring during pregnancy, and the immunological aspects of maternal-child genetic incompatibility.