title: Maternal anti-D prophylaxis during pregnancy and risk of hemolysis among preterm infants.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate whether Rh-positive preterm newborn infants born to Rh-negative mothers treated with prophylactic anti-D immunoglobulins exhibited signs of hemolytic reaction, including anemia and hyperbilirubinemia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective data were collected for 94 Rh-positive preterm newborns born at gestational age (GA) 28 to 34 weeks to 76 Rh-negative mothers and for matched controls.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found 11.7% positive Coombs' tests among infants in the study group and slightly higher bilirubin levels at birth and on the following 3 days. No differences were recorded between the study and the control groups for hematocrit levels throughout hospitalization, maximal bilirubin level, phototherapy treatment or the need for blood transfusion.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Among preterm Rh-positive newborn infants born to Rh-negative mothers, there appears to be no evidence of significant hemolytic reaction derived from placental anti-D transfer. Further prospective studies are needed to confirm these findings in order to support anti-D administration close to preterm birth.
authors: Department of Neonatology, the Edmond and Lili Safra Children's Hospital, Sheba Medical Center and Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Ramat-Gan, Israel.
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Maayan-Metzger
authors: Department of Neonatology, the Edmond and Lili Safra Children's Hospital, Sheba Medical Center and Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Ramat-Gan, Israel.
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Leibovitch
authors: Department of Neonatology, the Edmond and Lili Safra Children's Hospital, Sheba Medical Center and Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Ramat-Gan, Israel.
authors: I
authors: I
authors: Schushan-Eisen
authors: Department of Neonatology, the Edmond and Lili Safra Children's Hospital, Sheba Medical Center and Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Ramat-Gan, Israel.
authors: I
authors: I
authors: Morag
authors: Department of Neonatology, the Edmond and Lili Safra Children's Hospital, Sheba Medical Center and Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Ramat-Gan, Israel.
authors: T
authors: T
authors: Strauss
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001663:Bilirubin / Q000097:blood; D003298:Coombs Test; D004899:Erythroblastosis, Fetal / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D006400:Hematocrit; D006461:Hemolysis / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D018029:Rho(D) Immune Globulin / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D018029:Rho(D) Immune Globulin; D001663:Bilirubin