Future options to reduce RhD immunization in addition to a high coverage
prevention program of antenatal and postnatal RhIg: a nationwide cohort
study
Abstract
Objective: To evaluate which risk factors for RhD immunization remain,
despite adequate routine antenatal and postnatal RhIg prophylaxis (1000
IU RhIg) and additional administration of RhIg. Assessment of the
prevalence of RhD immunizations. Design: Prospective cohort Setting: The
Netherlands. Population: Two-year nationwide cohort. Methods:
RhD-negative women in their first RhD immunized pregnancy and their
foregoing non-immunized pregnancy. Risk factors for RhD immunization
were compared with population data. Main outcomes measures: Risk factors
for FMH and subsequently RhD immunization, prevalence of RhD
immunizations. Results: The prevalence of newly detected RhD
immunizations was 0.31% (79/25,170) of all RhD-negative pregnant women
in the Netherlands. After exclusion, 193 women remained. Significant
risk factors found in the group of 113 parous women (previous pregnancy
>16 weeks, RhD positive child) were; caesarean section (CS)
(OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.1-2.6), perinatal death (OR 3.5, 95% CI 1.1-10.9),
gestational age over 42 weeks (OR 6.1, 95% CI 2.2-16.6), postnatal
bleeding (>1000mL) (OR 2.0 95% CI 1.1-3.6), surgical
removal of the placenta (SRP) (OR 4.3, 95% CI 2.0-9.3). The miscarriage
rate in the group of women without a previous RhD positive child was
significantly higher than in the Dutch population (35% vs 12.5%
p<0.001). Conclusion: Complicated deliveries, including cases
of major bleeding and surgical interventions (CS, SRP) need to be
recognized as risk factor, requiring determination of FMH volume and
adjustment of RhIg dosing. Miscarriage may be an additional risk factor
for RhD immunization, requiring further studies. Funding: This research
was partly funded by a grant from Sanquin Amsterdam.