Red cell antibodies in Pregnancy

Question 1

What are the 3 main antibodies that have been reported to cause problems to the unborn fetus?

Answer 1

Anti-D, anti-c and anti-K antibodies

Question 2

What will anti-D, anti-c and anti-K antibodies cause in foetus and neonates?

Answer 2

These antibodies will cause severe anaemia, hyperbilirubinaemia, jaundice or death in foetus or neonates.

Question 3

What is done in booking bloods?

Answer 3

Screening for red cell alloantibodies,
Screening for infection common in pregnancy such as TORCHS
FBC: Hb to check for signs of anaemia, and platelet count to test for thrombocytopenia.
Haematocrit, if Hb is low
Blood grouping and rhesus status

Question 4

What is tested for in the ‘quadruple test’ of serum screening for Down syndrome?

Answer 4

4 hormones in mother’s blood is tested for:

• alpha-fetoprotein (AFP)
• beta-hCG
• inhibin-A
• oestriol

Question 5

What should be done if maternal red cell antibodies are present?

Answer 5

Non-invasive fetal genotyping using maternal blood for D,c, and K antigens should be done.