Clinical Information

The presence of fetal cells in the maternal circulation, resulting from fetal-maternal hemorrhage, may be attributed to a variety of causes including fetal trauma, various obstetrical emergencies and placental trauma. Hemorrhage of Rh+ fetal blood into Rh- maternal blood may result in the formation of Rh-reactive antibodies in the mother. The formed Rh antibodies remain in the mother and are easily transmitted through the placenta to the fetus in a subsequent pregnancy. These transmitted antibodies may react with Rh+ cells in the fetus, causing a disease process referred to as Rh hemolytic disease or Hemolytic Disease of the Newborn.