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In what way can Rh factor differences between a mother who is Rh-negative and her baby be a problem?

A) A problem can arise when the baby inherits the Rh-positive allele from the mother.
B) Rh factor differences have no impact on pregnancy or childbirth.
C) The mother may develop antibodies against the baby's Rh-positive blood, causing harm in subsequent pregnancies.
D) The baby may develop antibodies against the mother's Rh-negative blood, leading to complications during pregnancy.

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Final answer:

Rh factor incompatibilities can result in hemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN) in cases where an Rh-negative mother has a second Rh-positive child, leading to the mother's antibodies attacking the fetus's red blood cells. This condition can be prevented by administering Rho(D) immune globulin to the mother.

Step-by-step explanation:

The problem that can arise due to Rh factor differences between a mother who is Rh-negative and her baby mainly concerns the risk of hemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN). If the baby inherits Rh-positive blood from its father while the mother is Rh-negative, during the first pregnancy, the mother's immune system may be exposed to the baby's Rh-positive red blood cells, leading to the formation of antibodies against the Rh factor. Typically, this first exposure does not affect the first pregnancy significantly because the antibody response is not substantial by the time the baby is born. However, if the mother becomes pregnant again with an Rh-positive baby, the pre-formed antibodies can cross the placenta, leading to HDN, which can severely affect the baby's health. This condition is prevented by administering Rho(D) immune globulin to the mother during and after the first pregnancy to neutralize any fetal blood cells that enter her bloodstream.

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