8.
ABO incompatibility between mother and fetus:
| a. | may affect the first pregnancy. | True |
| b. | worsens with successive pregnancies. | False |
| c. | usually causes significant anaemia of the fetus at birth. | False |
| d. | often
needs exchange transfusion. |
False |
| e. | is caused by the Rh(D) antigen. | False |
(See
also MCQ 4, question 17 and MCQ 7, question
12.)
In this condition the mother usually has blood group O.
The problem arises if the baby has blood groups A, B or AB.
Naturally-occurring antibodies to blood groups A and B cross the placenta and destroy fetal red cells.
ABO incompatibility usually produces mild disease, with jaundice rather than significant anaemia.
Phototherapy may be needed, but transfusion is rare.
It does not worsen from one pregnancy to the next.
| Return to MCQ Paper 4, answer 17. "Rhesus Isoimmunisation" |
| MCQ Paper 4 |
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