Part 5/7:
The Rh factor further complicates the matching process. This system, first isolated in Rhesus monkeys, involves the presence or absence of the D antigen. An individual may be Rh+ (with the D antigen) or Rh- (without it). The implications of Rh compatibility extend beyond transfusions; it can lead to serious issues during pregnancy. For example, if an Rh- mother carries an Rh+ fetus, the mother’s immune system may produce antibodies that can harm the child, a condition known as hemolytic disease of the newborn.