4.2.25 lecture: Rh Factor

in terms of blood transfusion, AB is the universal __________________ while O is the universal ____________

acceptor; donor

Rh factor is characterized by _____________

a group of glycoproteins

ABO blood type is associated with preformed antibodies, specifically ________________________

B lymphocytes

how old are you when your body has the preformed antibodies?

about 2 years old

what is the most important glycoprotein to remember with Rh factor?

glycoprotein D

how do we denote the presence or absence of the D glycoprotein?

positive and negative

what does it mean to have A+ blood?

you have the A AND D glycoprotein

what does it mean to have B- blood?

you have B glycoprotein but not the D glycoprotein

what happens if a B- person gets a B+ blood transfusion?

the B- person develops antibodies agains the D antigen and the immune system is ready to activate against it next time

how long does it take the immune system to develop antibodies against a foreign pathogen?

1 week

why does Rh factor matter with negative pregnant people?

the first pregnancy with a positive baby is okay, but the next positive baby will be destroyed in utero

what is the point of exposure to the Rh factor for pregnant people?

delivering the placenta (that blood mixes with the childbirth wounds)

what medication is administered to the mother to prevent the immune system from recognizing the antigen?

RhoGAM

how does RhoGAM work?

it's an immunosuppressant that prevents her immune system from recognizing the D antigen, preventing her from developing the memory cells that will attack the next pregnancy

how would RhoGAM not work?

if mom has already been exposed to the D antigen

this is prophylactic, not retroactive

what influences the baby being positive?

if one of the two parents is positive, the child is likely to be positive

when do we administer RhoGam?

it's delivered throughout the pregnancy and for a short period after the pregnancy ends