If the Rh factor surface protein is present on red blood cells, the blood is Rh _____
positive
______;
if not, it is Rh ___
negative
______.
Describe the cause and treatment of erythroblastosis fetalis- be specific
There are two main causes of erythroblastosis fetalis: Rh incompatibility and ABO incompatibility. Rh
incompatibility occurs when an Rh-negative mother is impregnated by an Rh-positive father. The result
can be an Rh-positive baby. The mother’s blood cells attack the baby’s as a protective mechanism that
can end up harming the child. ABO blood type incompatibility occurs when the mother’s blood type of
A, B, or O is not compatible with the baby’s. A preventive treatment known as RhoGAM, or Rh
immunoglobulin, can reduce the mother’s reaction to the baby’s Rh-positive blood cells. If a baby
experiences erythroblastosis fetalis in the womb, they may be given intrauterine blood transfusions to
reduce anemia.
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- Winter '14
- red blood cells
