What does the Rh blood group consist of in terms of antigens?

The Rh blood group system is defined primarily by the presence of various antigens on the surface of red blood cells. The most significant antigens within this system are D, C, c, E, and e.

The D antigen is the primary antigen tested in blood typing and is critical in transfusion medicine as it plays a major role in Rh incompatibility during pregnancy. If a Rh-negative mother carries a Rh-positive fetus, the mother may produce antibodies against the D antigen, leading to potential complications such as hemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN).

While the other options mention different blood group antigens, they do not encompass the full range of antigens specific to the Rh blood group system. For instance, groups A, B, and O are components of the ABO blood group system, which is distinct from the Rh system. The option mentioning A, C, D, and E mixes both Rh group and other blood group definitions but does not accurately represent the full set of Rh antigens. Similarly, mentioning O, A, B, and Rh conflates separate blood classifications without correctly identifying the specific antigens associated with the Rh grouping.

Thus, the correct understanding of the Rh blood group system hinges on recognizing D, C, c