Rhesus

  • The major antigen in the Rhesus blood group is the D antigen.
  • About 85% of the general population is Rh positive (D positive) and the remaining 15% is Rh negative (D negative).
  • The D antigen is highly immunogenic; about 90% of Rh negative patients transfused with Rh positive blood will develop anti-D antibodies. These antibodies are not naturally occurring and only develop in an Rh negative person following transfusion with Rh positive blood or during pregnancy with an Rh positive child.
  • It is the D antigen and its corresponding antibodies that are involved in the life-threatening condition, hemolytic disease of the newborn.
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