The Frequency and Clinical Profile of Rh D Alloimmunised Pregnancies in a Tertiary Care Centre in Kerala

Abstract

Introduction: Development of anti D immunoglobulin, Better facilities for early detection and treatment and better neonatal care has brought down the frequency and magnitude of HDFN. But assessment of frequency of Rh D alloimmunisation and HDFN in individual centres is important since it varies depending upon the monitoring facilities and access to health care system.

Aim: To find out the frequency of Rh D alloimmunisation in antenatal cases and frequency of HDFN in their offsprings.

Materials and Methods: Longitudinal cross sectional study done in Department of Transfusion Medicine on 64 antenatal cases positive for anti Rh D antibodies by ICT whose clinical profiles and antibody titres were recorded. Data was analysed in SPSS ver.17.

Results: Out of 2496 RhD negative women tested with ICT, 78 (3.12%) were positive. Failure to administer RhIg lead to alloimmunisation in 42 (65.6%) cases. Frequency of HDFN was 57/64 cases. 53 RhD positive newborns were DCT positive (93.1%) and 4 were negative (6.9%). Male:female ratio 1.46:1.

Conclusion: Frequency of Rh D alloimmunisation is higher in the institution compared to global standards and majority are a result of lack of RhIg prophylaxis. Better strategies to prevent RhD alloimmunisation and introduction of interventions like IUT are warranted.