| Collection |
Dix |
| Photographer |
Dix, Rennie |
| Description |
Digital image from Yellow box 2. Slide 3: The first exchange transfusion undertaken at Wairau Hospital for treatment of an Rh baby. The Doctor-in-Charge is in the right hand corner. Charge technologist Hugh Bloore is on the syringe.
(Notes from Rennie Dix 2012)
Exchange Transfusion for an Rh Baby
Although the Blood Groups A, B and O had been known since the early 1900, it was not until 1937 that the important Rh system was discovered. The term Rh or Rhesus factor comes from the species of monkey used in the research
Blood containing the Rh Factor is commonly called Rh positive and blood lacking the factor is called RH negative.
Before the discovery of the Rh Factor, Blood Transfusion was regarded as a dangerous procedure with many adverse reactions sometimes leading to death. As a result of the discovery transfusion is now regarded as a safe mainstream treatment when indicated.
Rh Disease is one of the causes of Haemolytic Disease of the newborn.
The disease ranges from mild to severe and typically occurs only in the second or subsequent pregnancies of Rh negative women when the baby's father is Rh positive. In moderate or severe cases the foetus may have a marked anaemia caused by red cell destruction and may result in stillbirth.
Rh disease is generally preventable today by treating the mother during pregnancy or soon after delivery with an injection of Anti Rh (D) immunoglobulin.
Prior to 1964 when The Anti Rh (D) immunoglobulin became available, one of the few techniques for treating Rh Disease was by an exchange transfusion
The treatment for Rh Disease was exchange transfusion, which was invented by Dr. Alexander S. Weiner. That procedure was further refined By Dr. Harry Wallerstein a Tranfusionist in 1946. Although this was the most effective method of treating the problem at the time, it was only partially effective in some cases. It is estimated that in the two decades it was used, approximately 200 000 lives were saved
The first case of Rh Disease treated with Exchange Transfusion at Wairau Hospital was in 1956 The procedure was performed by removing 10mls of baby's blood and then replacing it with 10mls of a compatible donors blood till most of the baby's blood had been replaced. The whole procedure took several hours during which time the baby was continuously monitored
|
| Year Range from |
1956 |
| Object ID |
2013.001.0017 |
| Object Name |
Slide, Photographic |
| People |
Bloore, Hugh |
| Subjects |
Wairau Hospital
Baby |
| Title |
First Rh baby blood transfusion at Wairau Hospital |
|
