What consequence can arise if a mother with anti-c transfers her antibodies to her Rh-positive fetus?

The consequence of a mother with anti-c antibodies transferring her antibodies to an Rh-positive fetus is an increased likelihood of hemolytic disease. When the mother has these antibodies, they can cross the placenta and target the red blood cells of the fetus that express the Rh factor, particularly if the fetus is Rh-positive. This immune response can lead to the destruction of the fetal red blood cells, resulting in hemolytic anemia and potentially severe complications for the fetus, such as jaundice, hydrops fetalis, or even fetal death if not managed properly. Monitoring and potentially treating the fetus in utero may be necessary to mitigate these risks.

While the other options present various alternative scenarios, they do not adequately address the direct immunological consequence of the mother’s antibody transfer to an Rh-positive fetus, which is the risk of hemolytic disease. If the father were Rh-negative, the possibility of the fetus being Rh-positive would still remain if the mother carries the anti-D antibodies, but it does not eliminate the risk of hemolysis altogether. Immediate fetal transfusion is not always required unless there are signs of severe anemia, and the fetus may not always be Rh-positive; individual genetic factors play a significant role in determining the Rh status of a fetus.