Hemolytic Disease of the Newborn Can Result from An

Question

Hemolytic disease of the newborn can result from an
A)Rh⁺ mother with an Rh⁻ fetus.
B)Rh⁻ mother with an Rh⁺ fetus.
C)AB mother with a B fetus.
D)AB mother with an O fetus.
E)Rh⁻ mother and an A fetus.

Accepted Answer

Hemolytic disease of the newborn occurs when the mother has Rh⁻ blood and is exposed to Rh⁺ blood during pregnancy or delivery, from an Rh⁺ fetus. The mother's immune system can produce antibodies against the Rh factor, which can then cross the placenta and attack the fetal Rh⁺ red blood cells, causing hemolysis and anemia in the fetus. This can lead to a range of complications, including brain damage or even death. Therefore, the correct choice is B, which describes an Rh⁻ mother with an Rh⁺ fetus.