Rh immunization in Manitoba: progress in prevention and management

Can Med Assoc J. 1983 Aug 15;129(4):343-5.

Abstract

For two decades the perinatal mortality caused by erythroblastosis has been decreasing in Manitoba. The improved management of Rh-immunized pregnancies has lowered the death rate among affected infants from 10.8% to 3.4%, while the prevention of Rh immunization has reduced its incidence from 9.1 to 2.2 per 1000 total births. In its first 6 years and 8 months Manitoba's antenatal prophylaxis program, in which immunoglobulin is administered to Rh-negative women at 28 weeks' gestation, reduced the incidence of Rh immunization during pregnancy by 93%. In combination with post-abortion and postpartum prophylaxis the antenatal treatment has provided a protection rate of 98.6% among primigravidas at risk. Further improvements are expected.

MeSH terms

  • Erythroblastosis, Fetal / immunology
  • Erythroblastosis, Fetal / prevention & control*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunization*
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Manitoba
  • Pregnancy
  • Rh-Hr Blood-Group System / immunology*

Substances

  • Rh-Hr Blood-Group System