Alloimmune neonatal neutropenia: can we afford the consequences of a missed diagnosis?
The incidence of alloimmune neonatal neutropenia (ANN) is poorly defined. The reported incidence is less than or equal to 0.1%. This prospective study of unselected pregnancies found an incidence of 0.81% based on results of screening 247 'full term' cord blood samples. Alloimmune neonatal neutropenia occurred more frequently in this population than expected from published historical data. Advances in techniques for antineutrophil antibody screening may have contributed to the higher incidence found in this study. The frequency of ANN supports increased surveillance and confirmatory serological testing in infants with unexplained neutropenia.
Haematology Department, Queensland Health Pathalogy Service, Royal Brisbane Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. bronwyn.williams@health.qld.gov.au
Bronwyn A
BA
Williams
Y L
YL
Fung
D019268:Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic / Q000097:blood / Q000302:isolation & purification; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D015997:Neonatal Screening; D009503:Neutropenia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011793:Queensland / Q000453:epidemiology
D019268:Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic