NEETZoologyBody Fluids and Circulation
A newborn baby suffers from severe anaemia and jaundice due to a condition known as erythroblastosis foetalis. For this condition to occur, what must be the Rh blood group status of the baby's parents?
Options
- AMother is Rh ⁺ and Father is Rh ⁻
- BMother is Rh ⁻ and Father is Rh ⁺
- CBoth Mother and Father are Rh ⁻
- DBoth Mother and Father are Rh ⁺
Correct answer
B. Mother is Rh ⁻ and Father is Rh ⁺
Step-by-step solution
Erythroblastosis foetalis is caused by Rh incompatibility between an Rh ⁻ mother and an Rh ⁺ foetus. The foetus inherits the Rh ⁺ trait from the father. Therefore, the mother must be Rh ⁻ and the father must be Rh ⁺ . If the mother were Rh ⁺ , she would not produce anti-Rh antibodies upon exposure to the foetal blood, and the condition would not occur. If both were Rh ⁻ , the foetus could not be Rh ⁺ . Answer: Mother is Rh ⁻ and Father is Rh ⁺