www.avera.org/.../ ency/001600_pop2.htm The Rh Blood Group •The Rh protein on blood cells is due to a dominant trait •Individuals missing this protein (Rh-) are homozygous recessive If an Rh- person comes in contact w/Rh+ blood, the individual will produce antibodies that attack the protein (antigen).
This is a concern mainly in pregnant women: If the woman is Rh- and her partner is Rh+, they may produce an Rh+ baby. www.pennhealth.com/.../ articles/rh.html
Formation of Rh antibodies: During birth, Mom’s blood and baby’s blood may mingle, and Mom will produce antibodies to Rh+. www.pennhealth.com/.../ articles/rh.html
www.pennhealth.com/.../ articles/rh.html Future pregnancies: In a subsequent pregnancy, if the baby is again Rh+, Mom’s Rh+ antibodies will pass to the fetus and attack the fetus’ blood. This condition can lead to death of the fetus.
So can this condition be treated?? If antibodies are present and anemia is detected in the fetus, a blood transfusion may be performed to replace the fetus's blood supply with Rh-negative blood, which will not be damaged by the antibodies your body has created. The transfusion is administered through the umbilical cord while the fetus is still in the uterus, beginning at 18 weeks of pregnancy or beyond. This procedure can be somewhat risky, so some surgeons prefer to induce an early labor. The blood transfusion is then administered after the baby is born. www.pennhealth.com/.../ articles/rh.html