A large phenotypic sib-sib discordance for the Rh blood system. A possible new feto-maternal compatibility system.

A large sib-sib phenotypic discordance for the Rh system has been found in a longitudinal follow-up study on growth and development. Sibs born no more than 3 years later than their respective indexes show a significant tendency to have a different phenotype from that of their indexes. The hypothesis that distortion is due to eggs or fetal loss finds support in the existence of increased time intervals between indexes' and sibs' births in those cases in which the losses were suspected. Two groups of index families made according to the presence or absence of the cde haplotype in their genotype show important differences in segregation and reproductive patterns. The observed distortions cannot be explained by the differences in known antigenic Rh specificities. The existence of a new feto-maternal compatibility system would better fit these facts and would also allow the reinterpretation of several distortions associated with Rh described in the literature that have never been satisfactorily explained.