In which of the following situations, there is a risk factor...

In which of the following situations, there is a risk factor for children acquiring erythroblastosis foetalis?
(a) Mother is Rh -ve and father is Rh -ve
(b) Mother is Rh -ve and father is Rh +ve
(c) Mother is Rh +ve and father is Rh +ve
(d) Mother is Rh +ve and father is Rh -ve

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Key Concepts

Maternal-Fetal Blood Group Incompatibility

This concept involves the mismatch between the mother's and the fetus's blood group antigens. When the fetus has a blood group antigen that the mother lacks—such as the Rh antigen in an Rh-negative mother and Rh-positive fetus—it can trigger an immune reaction. This reaction is the basis for conditions like hemolytic disease of the newborn, including erythroblastosis foetalis.

Immunoprophylaxis in Rh-Negative Pregnancies

Immunoprophylaxis refers to the prevention strategy used to avoid maternal sensitization to Rh-positive fetal red blood cells. The administration of Rh immunoglobulin to Rh-negative mothers during and after pregnancy prevents the formation of antibodies against Rh-positive cells, thereby reducing the risk of developing erythroblastosis foetalis in future pregnancies.

Rh Incompatibility

Rh incompatibility refers to a condition in which an Rh-negative mother is exposed to an Rh-positive fetus, resulting in the formation of antibodies against the Rh antigen. This is the underlying mechanism that leads to erythroblastosis foetalis, as the produced antibodies can cross the placenta in subsequent pregnancies and attack the red blood cells of an Rh-positive fetus.

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