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| The Rh Factor |
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| The Rh system of blood classification is so named because it was first worked out in the blood of the Rhesus monkey. Like the ABO grouping, the Rh system is based on agglutinogens that lie on the surfaces of erythrocytes. Individuals whose erythrocytes have the Rh antigen are called Rh+. (Rh positive). Those who lack Rh antigen are called Rh- (Rh negative). |
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| Under normal circumstances, human plasma does not contain anti-Rh antibodies. However, if an Rh- person received Rh+ blood the body starts to make anti-Rh anti-bodies that will remain in the blood. If a second transfusion of Rh+ blood is given later, the previously formed antibodies will react against the donated blood and a severe reaction may occur. |
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| One of the most common problems of Rh incompatibility arises from pregnancy. When an Rh- mother bears an Rh+ foetus, the Rh+ RBCS from the foetus may enter the mother's circulatory system during child birth. This causes the production of anti-Rh anti bodies in the mother's blood. If the women becomes pregnant again, her anti-Rh antibodies will cross the placenta and reach the blood stream of the foetus. If the foetus is Rh- no problem will occur. If the foetus is Rh+, an antigen - antibody response called haemolysis may occur in the foetal blood. This is called Haemolytic disease of new born (HDN). In order to prevent HDN, Rh- mothers are injected with a defective anti - Rh antibody during all pregnancies carrying Rh+ foetus. |
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| Rh incompatibility when Rh-mother bears and Rh+ child. It explains why 1st child is safe and 2nd child is anaemic |
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