A Study of Maternal and Fetal Outcome in Rhesus Negative Pregnancy in A Tertiary Care Institute

Abstract Introduction: Rh incompatibility is a major cause neonatal hyperbilirubinemia, hydrops fetalis and stillbirth. Objectives: To study maternal and fetal outcomes in Rh-negative pregnancy in terms of antenatal interventions of intrauterine blood transfusions, Gestational age at the time of delivery, birth weight, APGAR score, Stillbirth, Hydrops, neonatal anemia, neonatal jaundice, kernicterus, need for phototherapy or exchange transfusions. Methodology: A prospective, observational study was conducted on 114 pregnant women with Rh negative blood group irrespective of their age, parity, gestational age and administration of Rh Anti-D Ig in previous or present pregnancy. Results: 42.1% were in the age group of 26-30 years. 73.7% patients delivered at term. 89.5% patients were registered with 10.5% being unregistered, who did not receive antenatal Anti D prophylaxis. 81.6% babies were found to be Rh positive after birth hence their mothers received postnatal Anti D prophylaxis. Only one case of isoimmunization resulting in an intrauterine fetal demise was noted in the study in an unregistered patient. (p value=0.003) Neonatal jaundice was found in 91.6% cases where mother did not receive Antenatal Anti D prophylaxis. (p value=0.0005) Conclusion: Rhesus isoimmunization is one of the preventable causes of neonatal morbidity and mortality. The incidence of the ill effects of the disease can be curbed with timely antenatal registration of a pregnant woman with blood grouping and Rh typing. Timely administration of antenatal and postnatal prophylaxis should be done.