Midwifery Exam Questions Related

Review Midwifery Exam Questions related questions and content

Icterus gravis and hydrops fetalis are conditions highly associated with:

  • A. Rhesus D incompatibility
  • B. ABO incompatibility
  • C. Physiological jaundice
  • D. Instant perinatal death
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Rhesus D incompatibility. Icterus gravis (severe jaundice) and hydrops fetalis (abnormal accumulation of fluid) are both conditions commonly associated with Rhesus D incompatibility between a mother and her fetus. This occurs when the mother is Rh-negative and the fetus is Rh-positive, leading to maternal antibodies attacking the fetal red blood cells, resulting in severe hemolytic anemia and subsequent complications.

Explanation for why other choices are incorrect:
B: ABO incompatibility typically leads to less severe jaundice and hemolytic disease compared to Rhesus D incompatibility.
C: Physiological jaundice is a common and benign condition in newborns caused by the immaturity of the liver, not by blood type incompatibility.
D: Instant perinatal death is not specifically associated with these conditions, but rather with other serious complications during childbirth.