title: Determination of fetal RhD status from uncultured amniocytes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the accuracy of DNA analysis for fetal RhD status using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on uncultured amniocytes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three hundred forty-seven amniotic fluid (AF) samples obtained for a variety of clinical indications were tested for fetal RhD status using PCR and primers specific for the genes coding for D and Cc/Ee. Fetal RhD status was confirmed by serologic methods on neonatal cord blood obtained at the time of delivery.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In 346 of 347 cases (99.7%), the PCR results of AF were in agreement with the serologic RhD blood type. The single error was in an RhD-negative fetus (misidentified as RhD-positive) whose AF was contaminated with blood from an RhD-positive mother. The likelihood of an erroneous result was 0.3%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Polymerase chain reaction-based analysis of fetal RhD status using uncultured amniocytes and established primers appears to be highly accurate.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, USA.
authors.forename: G A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Dildy
authors.forename: G M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Jackson
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ward
mesh_terms: D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000166:cytology*; D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood; D006801:Humans; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011247:Pregnancy; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012204:Rh-Hr Blood-Group System / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D012204:Rh-Hr Blood-Group System; D004247:DNA