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Disease-severity in subsequent pregnancies with RhD immunization: a nationwide cohort
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  • Carolien Zwiers,
  • Yolentha Slootweg,
  • Joke Koelewijn,
  • Peter Ligthart,
  • Johanna van der Bom,
  • Inge Kamp,
  • Enrico Lopriore,
  • Ellen van der Schoot,
  • Dick Oepkes,
  • Masja de Haas
Carolien Zwiers
Leiden Universitair Medisch Centrum

Corresponding Author:c.zwiers@lumc.nl

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Yolentha Slootweg
Leiden University Medical Center
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Joke Koelewijn
Sanquin Research
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Peter Ligthart
Sanquin Blood Supply Foundation
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Johanna van der Bom
Sanquin Bloedvoorziening
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Inge Kamp
Leiden Universitair Medisch Centrum
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Enrico Lopriore
Leiden University Medical Center
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Ellen van der Schoot
Sanquin Research
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Dick Oepkes
Leiden University Medical Centre
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Masja de Haas
Sanquin Blood Supply Foundation
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Abstract

OBJECTIVE(S): to evaluate the severity of HDFN in subsequent pregnancies with RhD immunization and to identify predictive factors for severe disease. DESIGN: prospective cohort. SETTING: the Netherlands. POPULATION: nationwide selection of all pregnant women with RhD antibodies. METHODS: women with two subsequent RhD immunized pregnancies with RhD-positive children after antibodies were detected were included. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: the severity of HDFN in the first and subsequent pregnancy at risk. RESULTS: 62 RhD immunized women with a total of 150 RhD-positive children were included. The severity of HDFN increased significantly in the subsequent pregnancy (P<.001), although it remained equal or even decreased in 44% of women. When antibodies were already detected at first trimester screening in the first immunized pregnancy, severe HDFN in the next pregnancy was uncommon (22%), especially when no therapy or only non-intensive phototherapy was indicated during the first pregnancy (6%), or if the ADCC result remained <10%. Contrarily, women with antibodies detected during the first pregnancy of a RhD positive child (>= 27th week), most often before they had ever received RhIg prophylaxis, were most prone for severe disease in a subsequent pregnancy (48%). CONCLUSION(S): RhD-mediated HDFN in a subsequent pregnancy is generally more severe than in the first pregnancy at risk and can be estimated using moment of antibody detection and severity in the first immunized pregnancy. Women developing antibodies in their first pregnancy of a RhD-positive child are at highest risk of severe disease in the next pregnancy.
13 Dec 2021Submitted to BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
16 Dec 2021Submission Checks Completed
16 Dec 2021Assigned to Editor
29 Dec 2021Reviewer(s) Assigned
16 Jan 2022Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending