Anti‐Ata causing mild hemolytic disease of the newborn

Abstract

We report here a case of moderately severe hemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN) due to anti-Ata. The gravida 5 proposita was group A rr and previously was found to have anti-Ata and -D. At the 35-week mark of this pregnancy, her anti-Ata demonstrated a titer of 256, score 79. Fluid obtained by amniocentesis at 36 weeks showed an optical density at 450 nm of 0.08 (midzone). The baby was delivered at 38 weeks by cesarean section. The cord cells were group A rr with a 3+ direct antiglobulin test. The dichloromethane eluate of the infant''s cells demonstrated anti-Ata specificity only. At birth, the infant''s total bilirubin (TB) was 2.1 mg per dl and the hematocrit level (Hct) was 33.8 percent. Within 8 hours, the TB had risen to 3.8 mg per dl. Phototherapy was initiated at 7-1/2 hours and maintained for 40 hours. The infant''s TB rose to a maximum level of 10.5 mg per dl 24 hours after phototherapy was discontinued. At discharge 4 days postpartum, the infant''s TB had dropped to 9.2 mg per dl, and the Hct value was 38 percent. On a visit 7 days postpartum, the infant''s TB level had fallen to 6.5 mg per dl and the hct value was 38 percent. Transfusions were not necessary.