Background: The presence of red cell alloantibodies during pregnancy can result in severe obstetrical complications.Antibodies of the Rh and Kell systems had proven frequently reported to be associated with obstetrical complications.With the introduction of anti‑D prophylaxis,the incidence of RhD alloimmunization in pregnancy has been significantly reduced. Next to anti‑D, non-D antibodies like anti‑K and anti‑c have been implicated in severe HDFN and are a serious concern for Obstetrition. This highlights the need for tertiary care hospitals to establish a well‑defined protocol for the management of non RhD alloimmunization in antenatal females.
Aims: To determine RBC Allo-Immunization and specificities among antenatal women attending Tertiary care Centre Hyderabad Pakistan
Methods: A total of 56 samples were studied and it was a non probability convenience sampling. Pregnant women of any age, parity and irrespective of the gestational age were included in the study and those having known autoimmune disease were excluded. The plasma/serum was used for antibody screening and identification using antihuman globulin gel cards(ID-card LISS/Coombs).Data was analyzed by using SPSS version 21.P-value less then < 0.05 was considered significant.
Results: The overall prevalence of alloantibodies in our study was 12.5% (6/56). The most prevalent significant alloantibodies were anti-D and anti-K respectively The non RhD antibodies specificity were included anti-k (n = 2/33.33%),anti- E(n=1/16.66%),anti-c(n=1/16.66%).There was significant association between RBC alloimmunisation and Rh phenotype, parity.
Conclusion(s): The occurrence alloimmunization in Rh negative was 33.33% whereas in Rh positive it was 66.66% which is greater than that reported in comparable studies.Rh D antibodies and Kell antibodies were common antibodies observed in pregnant women. However a significant fraction was non-RhD alloimmunization among Rh (D) positive pregnant women.
