Question

Erythroblastosis fetalis is (a) HDN (b) Rh incompatibility (c) Both (a) and (b) (d) None of these

Short answer

(c) Both (a) and (b)

Step-by-step solution

Understanding key medical terms

Erythroblastosis fetalis is a medical condition that mostly affects the fetus or newborn infants. This condition occurs when the mother has Rh-negative blood and the baby has Rh-positive blood, leading to the destruction of the infant’s red blood cells. This is also called Hemolytic Disease of the Newborn (HDN).

Compare with the given options

With the understanding how Erythroblastosis fetalis occurs, it can be compared to the given options. HDN and Rh incompatibility both describe the situation in which Erythroblastosis fetalis can occur. Hence, both options (a) and (b) are correct.

Conclusion

Given the information on Erythroblastosis fetalis, HDN and Rh incompatibility, the correct answer must be (c) Both (a) and (b).

Key concepts

Hemolytic Disease of the Newborn (HDN)

Hemolytic Disease of the Newborn (HDN), also known as Erythroblastosis Fetalis, is a blood disorder that occurs when there is an incompatibility between the blood types of the mother and baby. In HDN, the mother's immune system produces antibodies that attack the red blood cells of the fetus. This can lead to serious conditions in the newborn such as anemia, jaundice, heart failure, and even death if untreated.

HDN typically arises when a mother with Rh-negative blood type becomes pregnant with a fetus with Rh-positive blood. This can happen if the father carries the Rh-positive trait. During pregnancy, or when the baby is born, the mother's immune system can be sensitized to the Rh-positive red blood cells. This triggers the production of antibodies that, during subsequent pregnancies, can pass through the placenta and lyse, or break down, the fetus' Rh-positive red blood cells.

Management and treatment of HDN may include intrauterine transfusions to the fetus during pregnancy or exchange transfusions after birth. The administration of Rh immune globulin (RhIG) to Rh-negative pregnant women has significantly decreased the incidence of HDN.

Rh Incompatibility

Rh incompatibility is a condition that arises when a woman with an Rh-negative blood type becomes pregnant with an Rh-positive baby. The Rh factor is a protein that can be present on the surface of red blood cells. People with the protein are Rh-positive, while those without it are Rh-negative.

The first pregnancy with an Rh-positive baby usually does not cause problems related to Rh incompatibility. Problems can arise during subsequent pregnancies when a mother has been sensitized to the Rh-positive blood. If the mother's Rh-negative blood mixes with Rh-positive fetal blood, her immune system may respond by producing Rh antibodies. These antibodies can cross the placenta, attacking the red blood cells in the Rh-positive fetus' circulation, leading to HDN.

Preventing Rh incompatibility issues involves giving the Rh-negative mother a shot of RhIG during and after her first pregnancy with an Rh-positive baby to prevent her from producing antibodies against Rh-positive cells.

NEET Biology

NEET Biology is a critical section in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), which is a standardized examination in India for students aspiring to pursue undergraduate medical courses. The biology section covers a broad range of topics, including human physiology, genetics, ecology, plant biology, and animal biology. Erythroblastosis Fetalis and Rh incompatibility are vital concepts in human genetics and are often included in the NEET Biology syllabus.

Understanding these conditions is essential for students as they form fundamental knowledge for medical professionals who address genetic disorders and maternal-fetal health concerns. NEET aspirants must be well-versed in the mechanisms of these conditions, their implications, prevention, and treatment strategies to excel in the exam and in their future medical careers. Moreover, grasping the principles behind Rh incompatibility can also inform on broader topics, such as immune responses and blood transfusions, which are also important in the study of biology and medicine.