What is true about Rh incompatibility?

What is true about Rh incompatibility?

• A. Anti-D antibodies are produced in an Rh-negative mother carrying an Rh-positive fetus
• B. Anti-D antibodies are produced only after the first pregnancy
• C. Rh incompatibility has no long-term effect on future pregnancies
• D. Anti-D antibodies are produced in an Rh-positive mother

Answer: (A)

Rh incompatibility occurs when an Rh-negative mother is exposed to Rh-positive fetal red cells, usually during pregnancy, delivery, or other events, triggering her immune system to produce anti-D antibodies. These antibodies are typically IgG and can cross the placenta in subsequent pregnancies, attacking the fetus’s red cells if the fetus is Rh-positive, leading to hemolytic disease of the newborn. This is why the statement that anti-D antibodies are produced in an Rh-negative mother carrying an Rh-positive fetus is true. Antibodies against the D antigen can be formed after exposure, not strictly only after the first pregnancy; sensitization can occur during the first pregnancy or at delivery and then affect later Rh-positive pregnancies. Rh incompatibility can have long-term effects in future pregnancies due to potential hemolysis in an Rh-positive fetus. Antibodies are not produced by an Rh-positive mother, since her own Rh antigen does not trigger anti-D formation.

Rh incompatibility occurs when an Rh-negative mother is exposed to Rh-positive fetal red cells, usually during pregnancy, delivery, or other events, triggering her immune system to produce anti-D antibodies. These antibodies are typically IgG and can cross the placenta in subsequent pregnancies, attacking the fetus’s red cells if the fetus is Rh-positive, leading to hemolytic disease of the newborn. This is why the statement that anti-D antibodies are produced in an Rh-negative mother carrying an Rh-positive fetus is true.

Antibodies against the D antigen can be formed after exposure, not strictly only after the first pregnancy; sensitization can occur during the first pregnancy or at delivery and then affect later Rh-positive pregnancies. Rh incompatibility can have long-term effects in future pregnancies due to potential hemolysis in an Rh-positive fetus. Antibodies are not produced by an Rh-positive mother, since her own Rh antigen does not trigger anti-D formation.