What physiological circumstances lead to erythroblastosis foetalis ?
What physiological circumstances lead to erythroblastosis foetalis ?
A protein named rhesus antigen is present on the surface of red blood corpuscles. The population having this protein is called Rh positive (Rh+) while others who do not have this protein are known as Rh negative (Rh−) (dominant).
Erythroblastosis Foetails occurs due to Rh incompatibility between the foetus and mother during pregnancy. Rh antigen of the foetus does not get exposed to the Rh− blood of the mother in the first pregnancy. However, during the delivery of the first child, there is a possibility of exposure of the maternal blood to small amounts of the Rh+ blood from the foetus.
In such cases, the mother starts preparing antibodies against Rh antigen in her blood and during her subsequent pregnancies the Rh antibodies from the mother (Rh - ve) leak into the blood of the foetus (Rh + ve) resulting in the destruction of foetal RBCs. This could be fatal to the foetus or could cause severe anaemia and jaundice, even may lead the death of the foetus.
A protein named rhesus antigen is present on the surface of red blood corpuscles. The population having this protein is called Rh positive (Rh+) while others who do not have this protein are known as Rh negative (Rh−) (dominant).
Erythroblastosis Foetails occurs due to Rh incompatibility between the foetus and mother during pregnancy. Rh antigen of the foetus does not get exposed to the Rh− blood of the mother in the first pregnancy. However, during the delivery of the first child, there is a possibility of exposure of the maternal blood to small amounts of the Rh+ blood from the foetus.
In such cases, the mother starts preparing antibodies against Rh antigen in her blood and during her subsequent pregnancies the Rh antibodies from the mother (Rh - ve) leak into the blood of the foetus (Rh + ve) resulting in the destruction of foetal RBCs. This could be fatal to the foetus or could cause severe anaemia and jaundice, even may lead the death of the foetus.
