Question

Child death may occur in the marriage of

• A. $R{h}^{+}$ man and $R{h}^{+}$ woman
• B. $R{h}^{+}$ man and $R{h}^{-}$ woman
• C. $R{h}^{-}$ man and $R{h}^{+}$ woman
• D. Any of the above

Answer 1

The correct option is B $R{h}^{+}$ man and $R{h}^{-}$ woman

Child death occur due to incompatibility of Rh factor of man and woman. This leads to erythroblastosis fetalis, a disease that causes death of new-born or unborn baby. When a Rh⁺ father and Rh^-- mother conceive a baby, during the time of delivery, some of the blood cells from baby enter the mother's blood stream. The immune system of mother will the recognize the cells as foreign particles and produces antibodies against them. In the subsequent pregnancy with Rh⁺ baby, there are chances of Rh disease. The blood circulation of mother and baby is separated but still the antibodies of mother's body can cross the placenta and enter the blood stream of baby. The antibodies cause breakdown of RBCs of the baby leading to anaemia and ultimately death.

Hence, this Rh incompatibility between Rh⁺ man and Rh^-- woman will not affect the first child but in subsequent pregnancies, child death may occur in case of Rh⁺ positive baby.

So, the correct answer is 'Rh⁺ man and Rh^-- woman'.