Background: This study aimed to explore variations in prenatal care, delivery methods, influencing factors, and neonatal outcomes among Rh-negative pregnant women, so as to improve pregnancy healthcare for this demographic, raise the quality of maternal-fetal management, and safeguard the health of both mother and infant.
Methods: This study included 200 women who received routine prenatal care, exhibited no other pregnancy complications, and were admitted for delivery. They were divided into an observation group (100 Rh-negative blood type) and a control group (100 Rh-positive blood type). The study examined differences in pregnancy management, clinical characteristics and pregnancy outcomes between the two groups.
Results: The results indicated that singleton pregnancies in Rh-negative mothers are associated with significantly higher rates of postpartum blood loss (305.1 ± 183.8 vs. 246.1 ± 84.9 mL, P = 0.004), neonatal hyperbilirubinemia (39% vs. 23%, P = 0.014), low birth weight (11% vs. 2%, P = 0.01), and NICU admission (30% vs. 18%, P = 0.046) compared to the control group. Among Rh-negative mothers, subgroup analysis by ethnicity revealed a higher incidence of fetal distress in the other ethnic groups compared to the Han and Zhuang groups (16.7%, 0, 6.5%, respectively, P = 0.025). Subgroup analysis based on ABO blood type within Rh-negative mothers did not show any statistical significance in various outcomes (all P > 0.05). Infants with neonatal hyperbilirubinemia born to Rh-negative mothers experienced a quicker resolution of hyperbilirubinemia compared to those whose mothers did not receive intramuscular anti-D immunoglobulin [1.0 (1.0, 1.5) vs. 5.0 (1.5, 10.0), P = 0.002].
Conclusions: The Rh-negative blood type is linked to higher risks of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia, low birth weight, and increased postpartum hemorrhage, resulting in detrimental pregnancy outcomes. Administering anti-D immunoglobulin speeds up the resolution of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. Thus, prudent and efficient use of anti-D immunoglobulin can mitigate adverse outcomes for both mothers and newborns.
Keywords: Anti-RhD immunoglobulin; Hemolytic disease of newborn; Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia; Pregnancy outcome; Rh-negative.
© 2024. The Author(s).