SCREENING OF RH-ANTIBODIES IN RH-NEGATIVE FEMALE INFANTS WITH RH-POSITIVE MOTHERS

Abstract

The sera of 96 consecutive Rh-negative female infants born to Rh-positive mothers were examined at birth and sera from 88 of these infants were examined for the presence of Rh-antibodies at the ages of about 3 and 8 mo. A 2-stage papain test and an AutoAnalyzer method were used for antibody screening and identification. Weak anti-D antibodies were found by both techniques in 2 cord sera. In neither case could the antibodies be demonstrated in samples taken on later occasions. Weak anti-D antibodies were found by the AutoAnalyzer technique but not by the manual methods in the sera of 2 other infants at the age of 8 mo. These antibodies could still be demonstrated by the same technique in samples taken about 1 mo. later. The results support the grandmother theory [the possibility of a transplacental hemorrhage from an Rh-positive mother inducing Rh immunization in her Rh-negative fetus], but because of the low incidence of sensitization and uncertain nature of the anti-D antibodies demonstrable only by the AutoAnalyzer technique, anti-D prophylaxis is not recommended for newborn Rh-negative female infants with Rh-positive mothers.