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Anti-Rhesus (D) Immunoglobulin: Indications, Clinical Use and Effect on Incidence of Haemolytic Disease of the Newborn

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Paediatrics and Blood Transfusion

Part of the book series: Developments in Hematology and Immunology ((DIHI,volume 2))

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Abstract

It is a well established fact that Rh (D) antibodies develop in Rh (D) negative subjects who receive Rh positive erythrocytes. The major cause of Rh immunisation is pregnancy in a Rh negative woman carrying a Rh positive fetus. Although in principle, the circulations of mother and child are completely separate, small volumes of fetal ythrocytes may enter the maternal circulation during labour and delivery. Some Rh negative individuals respond with the formation of Rh (D) antibodies after exposure to as little as 0.1 ml Rh positive blood. Others do not respond even after massive transplacental haemorrhage (TPH).20,31 The transfer of IgG anti (D) antibodies from other to fetus takes place via the placenta. The anti (D) attaches to the erythrocytes of the fetus which are then destroyed in the reticulo endothelial system. This haemolytic process results in anaemia, erythroblastosis and the increased bilirubin production which is characteristic of haemolytic disease of the newborn.

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Authors
  1. J. Bennebroek Gravenhorst
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Red Cross Bloodbank Groningen-Drenthe, The Netherlands

    C. Th. Smit Sibinga  & P. C. Das  & 

  2. Department of Child Life and Health, University of Edinburgh, UK

    John O. Forfar

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© 1982 Martinus Nijhoff Publishers, The Hague

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Bennebroek Gravenhorst, J. (1982). Anti-Rhesus (D) Immunoglobulin: Indications, Clinical Use and Effect on Incidence of Haemolytic Disease of the Newborn. In: Sibinga, C.T.S., Das, P.C., Forfar, J.O. (eds) Paediatrics and Blood Transfusion. Developments in Hematology and Immunology, vol 2. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-7520-0_7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-7520-0_7

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-009-7522-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-009-7520-0

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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