The Rh antibodies from the mother (Rh-ve) can leak into the blood of the foetus (Rh `+ve)` and destroy the `:-`

Options

A. Roetal RBCs
B. Mother RBCs
C. Foetal WBCs
D. both (1) and (2)

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding Rh Factor**: The Rh factor is a protein found on the surface of red blood cells. Individuals with this protein are classified as Rh positive (Rh+), while those without it are classified as Rh negative (Rh-).

2. **Situation Description**: In this scenario, the mother is Rh negative and the fetus is Rh positive. This situation can lead to complications during pregnancy.

3. **Antibody Formation**: When an Rh negative mother carries an Rh positive fetus, the mother’s immune system may recognize the Rh positive cells as foreign. As a result, she can produce antibodies against the Rh positive antigen, known as anti-Rh antibodies.

4. **Leaking of Antibodies**: These anti-Rh antibodies can cross the placenta and enter the fetal circulation. This process is particularly concerning during subsequent pregnancies if the mother has been sensitized to the Rh positive antigen.

5. **Destruction of Fetal Red Blood Cells**: The anti-Rh antibodies that leak into the fetus's bloodstream will bind to the Rh positive red blood cells (RBCs) of the fetus, leading to their agglutination (clumping) and subsequent destruction (hemolysis).

6. **Consequences of Hemolysis**: The destruction of fetal RBCs releases hemoglobin into the bloodstream, which is then converted into bilirubin by the fetus's macrophages. This can lead to jaundice in the newborn due to elevated bilirubin levels.

7. **Conclusion**: The primary effect of the Rh antibodies from the mother is the destruction of fetal RBCs, not the mother’s RBCs or fetal WBCs.

**Final Answer**: The Rh antibodies from the mother (Rh negative) can leak into the blood of the fetus (Rh positive) and destroy the **fetal RBCs**.

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