Oasin, Maria Jeanelle A.

9- Philippians

The Rh or D Blood Factor

The Rh blood group system (including the Rh factor) is one of thirty-five current human blood
group systems. It is the most significant blood group system after ABO. At present, the Rh blood group
system comprises of 50 defined blood-group antigens, among which the five antigens D, C, c, E, and e are
the most important. The commonly used terms Rh factor, Rh positive and Rh negative refer to the D
antigen only. Besides its role in blood transfusion, the Rh blood group systemspecifically, the D
antigenis used to determine the risk of hemolytic disease of the newborn (or erythroblastosis fetalis) as
prevention is the best approach to the management of this condition. As part of prenatal care, a blood test
may be used to find out the blood type of a fetus. If the Rh antigen is deficient, the blood is called Rh-
negative. If the antigen is present, it is called Rh-positive. When the mother is Rh-negative and the father
is Rh-positive, the fetus can inherit the Rh factor from the father. This makes the fetus Rh-positive too.
Problems can develop when the fetuss blood has the Rh factor and the mothers blood does not.

A mother who is Rh-negative may develop antibodies to an Rh-positive baby. If a small amount
of the babys blood mixes with the mother's blood, which often happens in such circumstances, the
mother's body may respond as if it were allergic to the baby. The mother's body may make antibodies to
the Rh antigens in the babys blood. This means the mother has become sensitized and her antibodies may
cross the placenta and attack the babys blood. Such an attack breaks down the fetuss red blood cells,
creating anemia (a low number of red blood cells). This condition is called hemolytic disease or
hemolytic anemia. It can become severe enough to cause serious illness, brain damage, or even death in
the fetus or newborn. Sensitization can take place any time the fetuss blood mixes with the mothers
blood. It can occur if an Rh-negative woman has had a spontaneous or undetected miscarriage of a Rh
positive fetus.