Suppose an Rh- mother gives birth to an Rh- baby. Is there a danger of hemolytic disease of the newborn developing during a subsequent pregnancy? Why or why not?

What will be an ideal response?


No. The Rh blood group is a major concern when the mother is Rh- and the fetus is Rh+. This incompatibility can result in a condition known as hemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN). If Rh+ blood from the fetus enters the Rh- maternal circulation (this often happens during the birth process), the
mother's immune system will produce antibodies against the Rh antigen. During a subsequent pregnancy with an Rh+ fetus, massive amounts of maternal antibodies against the Rh+ antigen cross the placenta in late stages of pregnancy and destroy the fetus's red blood cells, resulting in HDN. However, with an Rh- fetus, there is no Rh+ antigen present.

Biology & Microbiology

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What will be an ideal response?

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