The Rh factor is inherited from a person's parents. If both parents are Rh-positive, their child will be Rh-positive. If both parents are Rh-negative, their child will be Rh-negative. If one parent is Rh-positive and the other parent is Rh-negative, the child can be either Rh-positive or Rh-negative.
The Rh factor is important in pregnancy. If a pregnant woman is Rh-negative and her partner is Rh-positive, there is a risk that the fetus will be Rh-positive. This can lead to a condition called Rh incompatibility, which can cause hemolytic anemia in the fetus or newborn. Hemolytic anemia is a condition in which red blood cells are destroyed faster than they can be replaced.
Rh incompatibility can be prevented by giving the pregnant woman a medication called RhoGAM. RhoGAM is a type of antibody that prevents the production of antibodies against the Rh antigen. This medication is given during pregnancy and after delivery if the baby is Rh-positive.
The Rh factor is also important in blood transfusions. A person can only receive a blood transfusion from a donor who has the same Rh factor. For example, a Rh-negative person can only receive blood from a Rh-negative donor.
