rhesus baby: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowTechnical/Medical (becoming dated), potentially historical/lay.
Quick answer
What does “rhesus baby” mean?
A newborn infant with haemolytic disease caused by Rh factor incompatibility between the mother and the fetus.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A newborn infant with haemolytic disease caused by Rh factor incompatibility between the mother and the fetus.
Historically, this term was used in medical and lay contexts to describe newborns affected by rhesus factor disease (haemolytic disease of the newborn). Modern medical terminology favors 'newborn with haemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN)' or 'Rh disease'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. Both use the term, though 'rhesus factor' is more common in UK English, while 'Rh factor' is equally or more common in US English.
Connotations
Neutral medical description, though may carry historical weight referencing a serious condition largely preventable since the 1960s.
Frequency
Low frequency in both varieties. More likely found in historical texts, older medical literature, or lay explanations of medical history.
Grammar
How to Use “rhesus baby” in a Sentence
The [mother/family] had a rhesus baby.The infant was a rhesus baby.Medical advances have reduced the number of rhesus babies.Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in historical or public health contexts discussing the impact of medical interventions.
Everyday
Rare; might be used by older generations or in personal/family medical histories.
Technical
Dated/Historical term in medicine and midwifery; modern notes might reference 'historical cases of rhesus babies'.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “rhesus baby”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “rhesus baby”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “rhesus baby”
- Incorrect: 'Rhesus baby' for any baby with jaundice. Correct: Specifically for Rh disease. Incorrect: Using it as a current medical diagnosis rather than a historical descriptor.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it's a dated term. Modern medical professionals use terms like 'haemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN)' or 'Rh disease'.
Because the Rh (Rhesus) factor, a protein found on red blood cells, was first identified in rhesus monkeys. The condition occurs when an Rh-negative mother has an Rh-positive baby.
Yes, and more importantly, it can be prevented. Since the 1960s, an injection of Rh immunoglobulin (RhoGAM) given to Rh-negative mothers during and after pregnancy prevents the immune response that causes the disease.
No. While severe jaundice is a primary symptom of being a rhesus baby, jaundice in newborns has many other causes. 'Rhesus baby' refers specifically to jaundice and anaemia caused by Rh factor incompatibility.
A newborn infant with haemolytic disease caused by Rh factor incompatibility between the mother and the fetus.
Rhesus baby is usually technical/medical (becoming dated), potentially historical/lay. in register.
Rhesus baby: in British English it is pronounced /ˈriːsəs ˌbeɪbi/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈriːsəs ˌbeɪbi/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None directly associated.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'Rhesus' like the monkey (the factor was discovered in rhesus monkeys) + 'baby' = a baby affected by the Rhesus factor problem.
Conceptual Metaphor
MEDICAL CONDITION AS A LABEL (The condition defines the identity of the baby in a clinical/historical context).
Practice
Quiz
What does the term 'rhesus baby' specifically refer to?