New laboratory procedures and Rh blood type changes in a pregnant woman.
Citation: Obstetrics & Gynecology. 119(2 Pt 2):426-8, 2012 Feb.PMID: 22270426Institution: MedStar Washington Hospital CenterDepartment: Obstetrics and Gynecology, Maternal-Fetal MedicineForm of publication: Journal ArticleMedline article type(s): Case Reports | Journal ArticleSubject headings: *Immunologic Tests | *Pregnancy Complications, Hematologic/di [Diagnosis] | *Rh Isoimmunization/di [Diagnosis] | *Rh-Hr Blood-Group System/im [Immunology] | Adult | Female | Humans | Pregnancy | Rh-Hr Blood-Group System/ge [Genetics] | Rho(D) Immune Globulin/tu [Therapeutic Use]Local holdings: Available online from MWHC library: 1995 - present, Available in print through MWHC library: 1999 - 2006ISSN:- 0029-7844
Item type | Current library | Collection | Call number | Status | Date due | Barcode |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Journal Article | MedStar Authors Catalog | Article | Available | 22270426 |
Available online from MWHC library: 1995 - present, Available in print through MWHC library: 1999 - 2006
BACKGROUND: A woman's candidacy for Rh immune globulin depends on whether her blood type is Rh-positive (D antigen-positive) or Rh-negative (D antigen-negative). New molecular blood-typing methods have identified variant D antigens, which may be reported as Rh-positive or Rh-negative depending on the laboratory method. We describe a case illustrating the effect of the new laboratory methods on a woman's candidacy for Rh immune globulin and present recommendations for interpreting the new test results.
CASE: A 40-year-old woman presented for management of her third pregnancy. During her first pregnancy, she was typed as Rh-positive ("D") and did not receive Rh immune globulin. During her second pregnancy, she was typed as Rh-negative, in accordance with revised Rh-typing procedures. Anti-D antibody was detected. During her third pregnancy, she was genotyped as a partial D antigen, which was reported as Rh-negative.
CONCLUSION: Revisions in laboratory procedures for Rh typing may present as a change in the Rh blood type of pregnant women-and as a change in their eligibility for Rh immune globulin.
English