Anatomy and Physiology for Midwives by Coad Jane & Dunstall Melvyn

Author:Coad, Jane & Dunstall, Melvyn [Coad, Jane]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780702034893
Publisher: Elsevier Health Sciences UK
Published: 2011-06-10T00:00:00+00:00

The Rhesus factor and Rhesus incompatibility

In the last trimester, the placental transfer of maternal IgG will include IgG antibodies directed against the fetus's own antigens. Most of these are thought to bind to non-trophoblastic cells bearing fetal antigens within the placental villous tissue so they do not reach the fetal circulation. However, antibodies to the Rhesus antigen can cause severe complications. People who express the Rhesus antigen on their own red blood cell surface do not make antibodies against the Rhesus antigen. These people are described as Rhesus positive (Fig. 10.8). A mother who is Rhesus-negative does not have the Rhesus antigen on her own red blood cell surface, and her immune system has the capability of making Rhesus antibodies. About 10% of pregnancies in Caucasian populations are Rhesus-negative women with a Rhesus-positive fetus; in other ethnicities, there is a lower incidence of Rhesus-negative individuals.

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