What percentage of the U.S. population is identified as Rh-negative?

The percentage of the U.S. population that is identified as Rh-negative is approximately 15%. This means that out of the whole population, about 15% do not have the Rh factor, which is a specific protein that can be present on the surface of red blood cells. Understanding this percentage is important in medical contexts, especially concerning blood transfusions and pregnancy.

In transfusions, if a patient who is Rh-negative receives Rh-positive blood, it can trigger an immune response leading to severe complications. Additionally, during pregnancy, Rh incompatibility between an Rh-negative mother and an Rh-positive baby can lead to hemolytic disease of the newborn, which is why knowledge about Rh status is crucial in prenatal care.

The figures indicate that the other options overshoot the actual prevalence. For instance, values like 20% or 25% would imply a much larger segment of the population is Rh-negative, which does not align with the established statistics.