Question

12. how is the foetus with Rh-positive blood is affected ,if the mother is Rh-negative?

Answer 1

A Rh negative mother has no Rh antigens in its body, while these antigens will be present in the blood of Rh positive baby. The mother's blood antibody will not recognise the Rh antigen. When mother's antibody cross through the placenta they recognise the Rh antigens of the foetal blood as foreign and as a result start their protective action. This may harm the baby. The condition is not very serious in case of the first baby, but when a second Rh positive baby is conceived the antibodies against Rh antigens are already present in the mother's body and their effect is more pronounced. This can result in the death of the foetus. This condition is called Erythroblastosis foetalis.