Prevention of Rh (D) Alloimmunization in Rh (D) Negative Women in Pregnancy and after Birth of Rh (D) Positive Infant

Czech version

Authors: M. Lubušký ^1,2; M. Procházka ¹; L. Krejčová ³; M. Větr ¹; J. Šantavý ²; Milan Kudela ¹
Authors‘ workplace: Gynekologicko-porodnická klinika LF UP a FN, Olomouc, přednosta prof. MUDr. M. Kudela, CSc. ¹; Ústav lékařské genetiky a fetální medicíny LF UP a FN, Olomouc, přednosta prof. MUDr. J. Šantavý, CSc. ²; Ministerstvo zdravotnictví ČR, oddělení péče o matku a dítě, odbor zdravotní péče a farmacie, Praha ³
Published in: Ceska Gynekol 2006; 71(3): 173-179
Category: Original Article

Overview

Objective:
The objective of this review was to assess the effects of antenatal anti-D immunoglobulin on the incidence of Rhesus D alloimmunization when given to Rh-negative women without anti-D antibodies and assess the effects of giving anti-D to Rhesus negative women, with no anti-D antibodies, who had given birth to a Rhesus positive infant.

Design:
A review article.

Setting:
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Medical Genetics and Fetal Medicine, University Hospital, Olomouc, Ministry of Health, Czech Republic. Subject and Method: We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group trials register, refence lists of relevant articles and bibliographies.

Conclusion:
The risk of Rhesus D alloimmunization during or immediately after a first pregnancy is about 1%. Administration of 100 μg (500 IU) anti-D to women in their first pregnancy can reduce this risk to about 0.2% without, to date, any adverse effects. Anti-D, given within 72 hours after childbirth, reduces the risk of RhD alloimmunization in Rhesus negative women who have given birth to a Rhesus positive infant. However the evidence on the optimal dose is limited.

Key words:
anti-D, rhesus alloimmunization