Do most people have it, or not have it? I know I'm the minority, I just don't know which one it is. What causes it, and are there any problems associated with it?
Thanks!!
2006-12-25 07:40:59 · 7 answers · asked by Wishful Writer 3 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Other - Diseases
Rhesus factor is a structure on the surface of a red blood cell. It is something you either have (Rh +ve) or you don't (Rh -ve), and this is determined by the rhesus status of your parents. Most people are Rh +ve, the percentage varies from different ethnic groups. The main problem associated with rhesus factor is the rhesus syndrome, with occurs in pregnancy. If the fetus is Rh +ve and mother Rh -ve, the mother can recognise the fetal blood cells as foreign develop an immune response which can destroy red blood cells in future pregnancies where the fetus is Rh -ve. This can be prevented with administration of Anti-D (another term for rhesus factor) antibodies in Rh -ve women during and after pregnancy.
Hope that answers your questions
2006-12-25 08:11:55 · answer #1 · answered by Darren S 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
technically, (Rhesus factor) Rh factor is the thing that gives you the + or - of your blood type. It's an antigen on the surface of your red blood cells, Not a problem either way.
Caucasian are 84% Rh positive, African Americans are 93% Rh+
Africans and Asians are 99% Rh+
The trouble is when a woman who is Rh Negative is pregnant with a baby who is Rh Positive (ie the dad was Rh positive), the mother may develop antibodies to the baby's Rh antigen. Usually there is no risk to THAT baby, however the antibodies, staying in the mother's blood, will be dangerous if the woman gets pregnant again with a Rh Positive baby. (it will cause the mom's antibodies to kill the baby's red blood cells)So the major risk is to the NEXT baby.
To prevent this, the mother is given an injection of RhoGam (and Anti-RhD Antibody) which "eats up" the mom's antibodies.
2006-12-25 16:10:04 · answer #2 · answered by neuron finder 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
RH- negative is in the minority I am RH- and have had 3 pregnancies with no problem. My sister-in-law also has it and lost her first child at 10 weeks gestation with her second she had a series of injections and gave birth to a full term healthy baby.
It is only a problem in pregnancy if mum is - and baby is + as mum may produce anti-bodies to destroy the + cells which is what happened in my sister-in-laws case the injections will overcome the problem.
2006-12-31 01:47:20 · answer #3 · answered by Cheryl S 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
RH factor is one of the characteristics in the blood typing, all people are either RH-positive or RH-negative.
Most of us are RH-positive, those RH-negative people are highly after by blood bank because those blood supply are always in short supply.
This is not a problem, it is your blood type, for example, I am a B-positive, that means I am RH positive and have a type B blood type.
2006-12-25 15:53:38 · answer #4 · answered by Bill H 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Do a search - there is an excellent article on Infoplease - first hit.
'RH factor'. Do not believe everything you see written here on Answers - go for the medical facts.............
2006-12-25 15:47:42 · answer #5 · answered by thomasrobinsonantonio 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
IT COULD LEAD TO BIRTH DEFECTS IN YOUR UNBORN CHILD. YOU WILL BE CHECKED WITH A BLOOD TEST WHEN YOU FIRST GO FOR YOUR PRENATAL APPOINTMENTS. MY MOM IS RH- AND HAD TO GET A SHOT BEFORE SHE HAD ME. I AM RH+. IT'S BEST TO TALK WITH YOUR DOCTOR BEFORE YOU HAVE KIDS AS A PRECAUTION.
2006-12-25 15:44:22 · answer #6 · answered by MRS. A 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
My grandparents had the factor..one was positive one negative. I'm not sure what causes it but I do know that is can cause mental retardation. Not always but frequently.
2006-12-25 15:44:02 · answer #7 · answered by healthykidnow 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋