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Maternal anti-D prophylaxis during pregnancy and risk of hemolysis among preterm infants

Journal of Perinatology volume 34, pages 906–908 (2014)Cite this article

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Abstract

Objective:

To evaluate whether Rh-positive preterm newborn infants born to Rh-negative mothers treated with prophylactic anti-D immunoglobulins exhibited signs of hemolytic reaction, including anemia and hyperbilirubinemia.

Study design:

Retrospective data were collected for 94 Rh-positive preterm newborns born at gestational age (GA) 28 to 34 weeks to 76 Rh-negative mothers and for matched controls.

Result:

We found 11.7% positive Coombs’ tests among infants in the study group and slightly higher bilirubin levels at birth and on the following 3 days. No differences were recorded between the study and the control groups for hematocrit levels throughout hospitalization, maximal bilirubin level, phototherapy treatment or the need for blood transfusion.

Conclusion:

Among preterm Rh-positive newborn infants born to Rh-negative mothers, there appears to be no evidence of significant hemolytic reaction derived from placental anti-D transfer. Further prospective studies are needed to confirm these findings in order to support anti-D administration close to preterm birth.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neonatology, the Edmond and Lili Safra Children's Hospital, Sheba Medical Center and Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Ramat-Gan, Israel

    A Maayan-Metzger, L Leibovitch, I Schushan-Eisen, I Morag & T Strauss

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  1. A Maayan-Metzger
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  2. L Leibovitch
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  3. I Schushan-Eisen
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  4. I Morag
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  5. T Strauss
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Correspondence to A Maayan-Metzger.

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The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Maayan-Metzger, A., Leibovitch, L., Schushan-Eisen, I. et al. Maternal anti-D prophylaxis during pregnancy and risk of hemolysis among preterm infants. J Perinatol 34, 906–908 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1038/jp.2014.134

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/jp.2014.134

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