Blood Disorders · Histology

Erythroblastosis Fetalis (Hemolytic Disease of the Newborn) is primarily caused by:

  1. Iron deficiency in the mother
  2. A transplacental viral infection of fetal bone marrow
  3. Rh incompatibility between mother and fetus
  4. Genetic mutation of fetal hemoglobin
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Correct answer: Rh incompatibility between mother and fetus

When an Rh-negative mother carries an Rh-positive fetus, maternal IgG antibodies against the Rh (D) antigen cross the placenta and attack fetal erythrocytes. This leads to severe hemolysis, anemia, and the compensatory release of immature nucleated red blood cells (erythroblasts) into fetal circulation.

Difficulty: Medium Question 16 of 20

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