Also does the rh factor affect a baby's vulnerability to the disease?

Hemolytic D. newborn: It is extermely important in women of childbearing age who are rh neg. To be sure they get no rh pos. Blood so there is no chance that they develop antibodies in case they have an rh pos. Child and so have hemolytic disease of the newborn. If an rh. Neg. Woman gets exposed to rh. Pos. Blood and develops antibodies, they can attack and kill the rbcs of the next child she has if it is rh pos..

Generally no: A negative Rh factor does not make a baby more susceptible to disease in their lifetime, either thru infection, environmental factors or bad habits. In the rare instance where they might need a blood transfusion, they could only get it from Rh negative donors.Females would require more monitoring during pregnancy if their spouse was Rh+.It is generally of no longterm consequence.