Prevention, diagnosis and treatment of blood group immunization during pregnancy
van Aken, W.G.; Christiaens, G.C.
Nederlands Tijdschrift Voor Geneeskunde 143(50): 2507-2510
1999
ISSN/ISBN: 0028-2162 PMID: 10627751 Document Number: 506142
In the Netherlands last year two important policy changes were introduced to prevent haemolytic disease of the newborn: antenatal administration of anti RhD immunoglobulin and screening for antibodies against irregular erythrocyte antigens in all pregnant women. As the predictive value of such antibodies for the detection of hemolytic disease of the newborn is limited, it is uncertain if this measure is really cost-effective. Because blood transfusion is the most important probable cause of the immunization, and because of the clinical severity of anti-K antibodies, it is advised to give exclusively K negative blood to girls and women under the age of 45 years. In addition there is a need for a uniform protocol to deal with women who have been exposed to immunization.