Haemolytic disease of the newborn due to anti-K antibodies.
We describe a case of intrauterine foetal death at 32 weeks gestation with signs of hydrops foetalis without erythroblastosis. The hydrops foetalis appeared to be caused by blood group incompatibility. Irregular antibodies of anti-K specificity were found in the serum of the mother, while the father was positive for the K-antigen. The antibody dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) test with serum of the mother was positive. This case shows the characteristics of haemolytic disease of the newborn by anti-K. Moreover, it underlines the necessity of both adequate follow-up of individual cases, and screening for irregular antibodies in all pregnancies as well as central registration of screening results.
de Jonge
N
N
Department of Clinical Chemistry, Diagnostic Center SSDZ, Delft, The Netherlands.
Martens
J E
JE
Milani
A L
AL
Krijnen
J L
JL
van Krimpen
C
C
Ponjee
G A
GA
D000328:Adult; D000906:Antibodies / Q000276:immunology*; D000920:Antibody-Dependent Cell Cytotoxicity; D004899:Erythroblastosis, Fetal / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D005313:Fetal Death / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D015160:Hydrops Fetalis / Q000276:immunology; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007626:Kell Blood-Group System / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy
D000906:Antibodies; D007626:Kell Blood-Group System