Question

Give reason:

When Rh −ve mother conceives Rh +ve foetus, then she is given injection of anti Rh antibodies.

Answer 1

1. During pregnancy or at the time of delivery, the Rh +ve fetal blood may mix with the Rh −ve mother's blood, especially in cases of pregnancy complications.
2. If this happens, the Rh −ve mother's immune system recognizes Rh +ve fetal RBCs as foreign and starts producing anti-Rh antibodies.
3. In a future pregnancy with an Rh +ve fetus, these maternal anti-Rh antibodies can cross the placenta and attack the fetal red blood cells, leading to Hemolytic Disease of the Newborn (HDN).
4. To prevent this, an injection of anti-Rh antibodies (RhoGAM) is given to the Rh −ve mother during pregnancy or soon after delivery.
5. These antibodies neutralize any Rh +ve fetal RBCs before the mother’s immune system can react, preventing complications in future pregnancies.