Rh type
Rh type
Updated: 07/28/2025
© Jun Wang, MD, PhD
General concept
- Groups of various antigens
- Most significant antigens for transfusion after ABO
- Encoded by 5 genes: D, C, E, c, e
- D most immunogenic, likely associated with hemolytic disease of the newborn
- Clinically used together with ABO system, such as A+ or B-
- Antibody produced after exposure, such as pregnancy or transfusion
- Usually IgG against Rh group antigens
- Rh typing determined by Rh factor testing
- Rh typing usually performed during first pregnancy (both parents), before blood transfusion/donation
- Anti-D screening at 28th weeks of gestation if mother is Rh- and father is Rh+
- RhoGAM for Rh- mother if anti-D screening is negative
Genetics
- Codominant ABO genes
- Inherit one set of gene from each parent
- D or d (absence of D)
- C or c
- E or e
- Rh + (D, DD or Dd) or Rh- (No D antigen, rr)
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