Autologous intrauterine transfusion in a case of anti-U.
Minor red blood cell antibodies are becoming a more common cause of hemolytic disease of the newborn. Anti-U are a rare alloantibody found almost exclusively in people of black descent. There is limited experience to guide the management of pregnancies complicated by anti-U. Furthermore, there is often no suitable cross-matched blood available for transfusion of a patient with anti-U.



A 21-year-old P0G1 presented at 25 weeks' gestation with D- disease in pregnancy. She had a significant indirect antiglobulin test titer of 512. Anti-U were identified and no suitable cross-matched blood was available. Maternal blood was prepared for autologous intrauterine fetal transfusion. Two such transfusions were performed.



A healthy fetus delivered at 32 weeks that did not require phototherapy or an exchange transfusion.



Autologous transfusion of prepared maternal blood provides a safe option for intrauterine fetal therapy in pregnancies complicated by rare alloantibodies.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa.
Sumaiya
S
Adam
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa.
Hennie
H
Lombaard
D044383:Black People / Q000235:genetics; D001805:Blood Transfusion, Intrauterine / Q000379:methods*; D004899:Erythroblastosis, Fetal / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007518:Isoantibodies / Q000097:blood*; D011247:Pregnancy; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous; D055815:Young Adult
D007518:Isoantibodies