Fetal anaemia and related disorders Flashcards
At what two points in pregnancy should women have their blood group and antibody status determined?
Booking
28/40
Collect 28/40 sample before Anti-D administration
If Rh -, at what gestations in pregnancy should women be offered Anti-D, and why?
28/40 and 34/40
625IU
To prevent iso-immunisation
Due to the risk of spontaneous sensitisation that can occur at this gestation
If Rh-, what care should women receive postnatally?
Cord blood for fetal rh status
Dose of Anti-D (routine prophylaxis, 625IU) within 72 hours if rh pos
Measurement of Kleihauer: quantification of fetal-maternal haemorrhage
What proportion of women are Rh negative
1 in 7
What proportion of women will have
- red cell antibodies
- clinically significant antibodies
detected in pregnancy?
Red cell antibodies = 1.2%
Clinically significant antibodies = 0.4%
What are 5 examples of sensitising events in the first trimester, that would be indications for Anti-D in a Rh negative woman
Miscarriage
MTOP or STOP
Ectopic pregnancy
CVS
There is insufficient evidence to suggest that a threatened miscarriage before 12/40 necssitates Anti-D (RANZCOG)
NZ Blood Bank advises to give Anti-D due to a small risk of anti-D isoimmunisation
250IU unless multiple pregnancy: 625IU
What are 5 examples of sensitising events in the second and third trimester, that would be indications for Anti-D in a Rh negative woman
Abdominal trauma TOP APH / Obstetric haemorrhage Amniocentesis ECV attempt
When is routine Anti-D prophylaxis not required in the Rh negative woman in pregnancy?
Women is already sensitised i.e. has Anti-D antibodies
Fetal genotyping confirms the fetus is Rh negative
Father is confirmed to be Rh negative
What is the pathophysiology of Haemolytic Disease of the Newborn?
Fetal RBCs enter maternal circulation and her immune system creates antibodies against these.
Trans-placental passage of maternal IgG antibodies into fetal circulation.
Antibodies cause fetal RBCs to be destroyed by their own immune system leading to HDFN.
What is different about Anti-K HDN compared to Anti-D and Anti-c?
Anti-K: erythroid suppression, immune destruction of early erythroid progenitor cells
Severe fetal anaemia can occur at low antibody titres
Therefore, refer at any titre level
What are the main three antibodies that can cause fetal anaemia, via HDN?
Anti-D
Anti-c
Anti-K
What are five less common antibodies that can cause fetal anaemia via HDN?
Anti-E Anti-Fy Anti-Jk Anti-C Anti-c+E
Which antibody potentiates the severity of fetal anaemia due to anti-c antibodies?
Anti-E
Therefore, if Anti-E present with anti-c, referral at lower titres is indicated
What are the titres for Anti-D for mild risk, moderate risk and severe risk
Mild <4
Refer to fetal medicine if >4
Moderate: 4-15
Severe > 15
IU/mL
What are the titres for Anti-c for mild risk, moderate risk and severe risk of fetal anaemia
Mild risk: < 7.5
Refer to fetal medicine if >7.5
Moderate risk: 7.5-20
Severe risk > 20