title: Alloimmunization due to red cell antibodies in Rhesus positive Omani Pregnant Women: Maternal and Perinatal outcome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study is aimed to determine the prevalence of alloimmunization due to antibodies to red blood cell (RBC) antigens (other than rhesus [Rh] antigen) and report the maternal, perinatal, and neonatal outcomes.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective review of medical records of all patients with minor RBCs antibodies alloimmunization who were followed and delivered at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Oman from June 2011 to June 2013. Maternal characteristics, antibody type, antibody titer in addition to perinatal and neonatal outcomes were reviewed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were 1160 patients with Rh positive status in the study. The most common ABO blood group was O, followed by A, B, and AB. We found 33 out of 1160 Rh positive women alloimmunized with minor RBCs antibodies that gave a prevalence of minor RBCs alloimmunization of 2.7%. The most frequent antibody was anti-E 38%, followed by anti-c 17% and anti-kell 17%. 6 of these 33 patients were identified to have significant antibody titer, and two cases showed evidence of fetal anemia. Only one case required an intrauterine blood transfusion. The most common neonatal complication was jaundice in 53%, followed by respiratory distress syndrome in 28%. Two cases complicated by neonatal anemia required a postnatal blood transfusion.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Alloimmunization with anti-E, anti-c, and anti-kell were the most common antibodies among the study group. Minor RBCs alloimmunization was an important cause of neonatal morbidity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman.
authors.forename: Tamima
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Al-Dughaishi
authors.affiliation: 5th Year Medical Student, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman.
authors.forename: Ikhlass S
authors.initials: IS
authors.lastname: Al-Rubkhi
authors.affiliation: 5th Year Medical Student, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman.
authors.forename: Maymoona
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Al-Duhli
authors.affiliation: 5th Year Medical Student, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman.
authors.forename: Yusra
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Al-Harrasi
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman ; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman.
authors.forename: Vaidyanathan
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Gowri
keywords: Alloimmunization; perinatal medicine; red cell antibodies; transfusion