Quiz 9 Flashcards
What is HDFN?
Destruction of fetal and neonatal RBCs by antibodies produced by the mother
What type antibody is transported across the placenta?
IgG
What type antibody is NOT transported across the placenta?
- IgM
- IgA
Mom’s Abs are directed against antigens on the _____. The Newborn D antigen is inherited from ______.
- Fetus
- Father
What child is unaffected because the mother is not yet immunized?
the first born
What child is affected because the mother IS immunized?
every D positive child born after the first D positive child
How does the newborn’s RBCs enter the maternal circulation?
at delivery, when the placenta separates from the uterus
What happens to the RBCs of a D positive child of a sensitized D negative mom?
- Maternal IgG anti-D antibody crosses the placenta
- sensitizes fetal rbc’s
- The fetal rbc’s are then destroyed by the fetal monocyte-macrophage system
- resulting in anemia
What does Rhogam do?
prevents B-cell activation and memory cell formation
What amount of blood can sensitize the mom? (smallest amount)
1 mL of blood
What can increase the risk of fetal-maternal hemorrhage?
- amniocentesis (amniotic fluid removal from the placenta)
- chorionic villous sampling (biopsy of placenta)
- trauma to the abdomen
What can cause a significant increase in maternal antibody titers and increase the severity of HDFN?
Fetal-maternal hemorrhage
What percentage of people ACTUALLY get sensitized (when transfused with 200mL of Rh positive RBC)?
85% of people develop anti-D antibodies
What is the percentage of Rh negative mothers at risk of immunization after an Rh positive pregnancy?
16%
What type of IgG is the most efficient in rbc hemolysis? (most dangerous)
- IgG-1
- IgG-3
What antibody not only destroys circulating rbc’s but also their precursors in the bone marrow and thus suppresses fetal hematopoiesis?
Anti-K
What antigen is the most immunogenic?
D
What antigens are potent immunogens?
C, E, c
What is better Rh incompatibility or ABO AND Rh incompatibility?
ABO & Rh incompatibility, (ABO antibodies will destroy the RBCs before the mom can be sensitized with Rh antigens)
What causes erythroblastosis fetalis in HDFN?
The resultant anemia stimulates fetal bone marrow to produce RBCs at a faster rate even to the point where immature RBCs are released into the circulation
What causes hydrops fetalis in HDFN?
Severe anemia and hypoproteinemia ( due to decreased protein production by the damaged liver) lead to development of heart failure and generalized edema
What is the pathogenesis of HDFN?
- Hemolysis occurs when maternal IgG attaches to specific antigens on fetal RBCs (hemolysis)
- The antibody coated cells are removed from the circulation by splenic macrophages (destruction of RBCs)
- The resultant anemia stimulates fetal bone marrow to produce RBCs at a faster rate even to the point where immature RBCs are released into the circulation, hence the term erythroblastosis fetalis (overstimulation of immature RBCs/erythroblasts)
- Severe anemia and hypoproteinemia ( due to decreased protein production by the damaged liver) lead to development of heart failure and generalized edema, a condition known as hydrops fetalis
- The process of RBC destruction continues after birth as long as maternal antibody persists in the infant’s circulation
- IgG has a half-life of 25 days, so hemolysis can continue for days to weeks after delivery
What is found in the fetal circulation on a blood smear of a fetus with HDFN?
Nucleated RBCs
What is the pathogenesis of HDFN with increased bilirubin?
- Bilirubin is a metabolic product of hemoglobin break down
- Indirect bilirubin (insoluble) is formed from destruction of fetal rbc’s
- Indirect bilirubin crosses the placenta and is conjugated to direct bilirubin (soluble) by the mother’s liver and then excreted
- After birth, if hemolysis continues, the immature infant’s liver cannot conjugate the bilirubin effectively
- The indirect or unconjugated bilirubin can reach levels of 18-20 mg/dL ( Normal 0.2-1.2 mg/dL)
- The bilirubin can deposit in the infant’s brain causing kernicterus with permanent brain damage
How is HDFN diagnosed?
- During 1st prenatal visit (1st trimester), type and screen and preggo/transfusion history
- if positive antibody screen, antibody identification is formed
Why do Rh negative pregnant women have weakly reactive anti-D antibodies during the third trimester?
due to RhIG received at 28 weeks gestation
( titer is usually <4 )
What is used to predict severity of HDFN (particularly Rh and K antibodies)?
antibody titers