Massive feto-maternal haemorrhage: effect of passively administered anti-D in the prevention of Rh sensitization and haemolytic disease of the newborn

Summary. Fourteen mothers carrying ABO compatible but Rh D incompatible pregnancies experienced large feto-maternal haemorrhages (estimated 188 ml, range 50–400 ml red cells). These were all treated with infusions of fresh frozen plasma containing anti-D at a mean immunoglobulin to fetal cell ratio of 129 i.u. (25·8 μg)/ml of fetal cells. At 48 h after the infusion 95% of fetal cells had been removed but 3 to 4 days were required for complete removal. The passively administered anti-D was detectable for up to 6–9 months but not after that time. Four of the 14 women had successful pregnancies subsequently although in two of these anti-C + D was present. Of these, one resulted in a clinically affected baby who survived exchange transfusion.