Intravenous immune globulin in the management of severe Rh D hemolytic disease

Obstet Gynecol Surv. 1997 Mar;52(3):193-7. doi: 10.1097/00006254-199703000-00022.

Abstract

Although intrauterine fetal transfusion has improved dramatically perinatal outcome in Rh D alloimmunization, in some cases the fetus is affected before transfusion is possible. Immune globulin (IVIG) administration is being increasingly used to successfully treat a variety of immune-mediated diseases, such as pregnancies affected by platelet alloimmunization. Although only a limited number of pregnancies have been reported, favorable outcomes with IVIG treatment of severe Rh disease have been described. We present a case report, review the published experience with IVIG treatment in severe, early-onset anti-D sensitization, and propose that IVIG may have an adjunctive role in the treatment of severe Rh isoimmunization.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antibodies / blood
  • Erythroblastosis, Fetal / therapy*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / therapeutic use*
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Pregnancy
  • Rh Isoimmunization / therapy*
  • Rh-Hr Blood-Group System / immunology

Substances

  • Antibodies
  • Immunoglobulins, Intravenous
  • Rh-Hr Blood-Group System
  • Rho(D) antigen