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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