title: Prevention of Rh haemolytic disease.
abstract: Between 1970 and 1976 in the Yorkshire region the incidence of Rh antibodies in Rh-negative pregnant women fell by 70%. This decrease occurred in both old (long-standing) and new (first-affected) cases, which emphasised that the reduction in numbers was as much due to fewer pregnancies among Rh-negative mothers as to administration of anti-D immunoglobulin. Nevertheless, the incidence has begun to level out. The continued incidence of first-affected cases is caused by three main factors: failure of administration of anti-D immunoglobulin after normal deliveries and abortions; a steady incidence of antibodies in primigravidae; and cases in which administration of anti-D immunoglobulin had failed to protect. Administering anti-D antenatally might reduce the incidence of new cases among primigravidae who are sensitised before anti-D is normally given. Even without routine antenatal administration of anti-D, the incidence of severely affected Rh babies in the Yorkshire region could be reduced to one or two isolated cases a year in a population of three to four million by administering anti-D after all Rh-negative deliveries and after every abortion.
mesh_terms: D004739:England; D004899:Erythroblastosis, Fetal / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007518:Isoantibodies / Q000032:analysis; D011247:Pregnancy; D011250:Pregnancy Complications, Hematologic / Q000517:prevention & control; D011379:Prognosis; D012204:Rh-Hr Blood-Group System
chemical_list: D007136:Immunoglobulins; D007518:Isoantibodies; D012204:Rh-Hr Blood-Group System