Rh-induced hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFNRH) is one of IgG- mediated red cell destruction. When an RhD negative mother is exposed to the RhD positive red cells, she develops allo-anti-D which crosses the placenta and then results in the destruction of fetal red cells. Clinical manifestations of HDFNRH range from asymptomatic mild anaemia to hydrops fetalis or stillbirth associated with severe anaemia and jaundice. The antigens of the Rh blood group are carried by proteins coded by 2 genes, RHD and RHCE. In whites, the vast majority of D-negative haplotypes are due to a deletion of the RHD gene.
