Where Rh incompatibility occurs, the mother’s immune system attacks the child’s blood cells, destroying their ability to process bilirubin, a by-product of the breakdown of red blood cells.  The problem causes liver overload and jaundice.  Jaundice, a yellow pallor of the skin and eyes, is caused when the ambient bilirubin dissolves in the layer of fat beneath the skin instead of being processed in the liver and excreted as bile.  Severe jaundice caused by incompatibility between the Rh blood types of a mother and child has resulted in brain damage and cerebral palsy, particularly athetoid cerebral palsy (slow, uncontrollable, writhing movement). 

Transfusion of the fetus can be undertaken to address the condition, or a large-scale transfusion can be administered after birth.  The problem only surfaces after the first pregnancy, at which point the mother’s body begins to produce antibodies.  Normally, a serum, Rh immunoglobulin, can be given to the mother 72 hours after childbirth.  The serum inhibits the production of the undesirable antibodies and protects future infants.  Regardless, routine blood tests are administered that identify the condition, and there are several options for making sure that the infant is not harmed.

Rh incompatibility issues are particularly common in developing nations.  Because testing for Rh incompatibility is not difficult, progress can be made to lower the incidence of cerebral palsy in the developing world.

Parker, James N., and Parker, Philip M., eds.  The Official Parent’s Sourcebook on Cerebral Palsy:  A Revised and Updated Directory for the Internet Age.  San Diego:  ICON Health Publications, 2002.