what is rh negative blood

10 months ago 72
Nature

The Rh factor, or Rhesus factor, is a protein found on the surface of red blood cells. It is an inherited protein that can be present (Rh positive) or absent (Rh negative) in a person's blood. The presence or absence of the Rh factor is denoted by the positive or negative sign in a person's blood type. While being Rh negative does not typically affect a person's health, it is important in the context of pregnancy. If an Rh-negative woman is pregnant with an Rh-positive fetus, it can lead to the production of antibodies that can cause complications in subsequent pregnancies. This is known as Rh incompatibility and can result in serious health problems for the fetus or newborn. Therefore, it is important for pregnant women to know their Rh status for appropriate medical management