title: Non-invasive prenatal diagnosis and determination of fetal Rh status.
abstract: RhD blood group incompatibility between a pregnant woman and her fetus can result in maternal alloimmunization and consequent haemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN) in subsequent pregnancies. The D-negative blood group is found in 15% of whites, 3-5% of black Africans, and is rare in Asians. Recent technological advances in non-invasive prenatal determination of the fetal RHD status using cell-free fetal DNA (cffDNA) have opened new avenues for the management of D-negative pregnant women. In this review applications for the high risk women, as well as potential for routine screening will be discussed. The use of non-invasive prenatal diagnosis and the management of other blood incompatibilities will also be discussed.
authors.affiliation: Sanquin Research, Amsterdam, and Landsteiner Laboratory, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Plesmanlaan 125, 1066 CX Amsterdam, The Netherlands. e.vanderschoot@sanquin.nl
authors.forename: C Ellen
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: van der Schoot
authors.forename: Sinuhe
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hahn
authors.forename: Lyn S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Chitty
mesh_terms: D004247:DNA / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D018566:Pregnancy, High-Risk; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis / Q000379:methods*; D012203:Rh Isoimmunization / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012204:Rh-Hr Blood-Group System; D018029:Rho(D) Immune Globulin / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D012204:Rh-Hr Blood-Group System; D018029:Rho(D) Immune Globulin; D004247:DNA