Ann Lab Med.  2024 Jul;44(4):307-313. 10.3343/alm.2023.0356.

Guide to Rho(D) Immune Globulin in Women With Molecularly Defined Asian-type DEL (c.1227G>A)

• Jeong IH
• Yu S
• Kim TY
• Oh SY
• Cho D

• KMID: 2557929
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3343/alm.2023.0356

Abstract

Rh hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn is a potential risk for D-negative mothers who produce anti-D during pregnancy, which can lead to morbidity and mortality in subsequent pregnancies. To prevent this hemolytic disease, Rho(D) immune globulin (RhIG) is generally administered to D-negative mothers without anti-D at 28 weeks of gestation and shortly after delivery. However, current guidelines suggest that pregnant mothers with molecularly defined weak D types 1, 2, 3, 4.0, and 4.1 do not need RhIG as they are unlikely to produce alloanti-D when exposed to fetuses with D-positive red cells. This issue and the necessity of RHD genotyping have been extensively discussed in Western countries, where these variants are relatively common. Recent evidence indicates that women with Asiantype DEL (c.1227G > A) also do not form alloanti-D when exposed to D-positive red cells. We report that mothers with molecularly defined Asian-type DEL, similar to those with weak D types 1, 2, 3, 4.0, and 4.1, do not require RhIG before and after delivery. Collectively, this review could pave the way for the revision of international guidelines to include the selective use of RhIG based on specific genotypes, particularly in women with the Asian-type DEL.

Keyword

Asian-type DEL; Pregnant women; Rho(D) immune globulin; Weak D

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Flowchart for RhD typing. (A) Serologic and genetic testing of Asian-type DEL with determination algorithm of Rho(D) immune globulin in East Asians. (B) Serologic and genetic testing of weak D types 1, 2, 3, 4.0, and 4.1 with determination algorithm of Rho(D) immune globulin in non-East Asians. Abbreviations: RBC, red blood cells; RhIG, Rho(D) immune globulin.

Reference

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