Human Anti-D (Rh0) Immunoglobulin

Haemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN) is a disease where the baby’s red blood cells are being destroyed due to antibodies from the mother. This is caused when the baby’s blood is incompatible with the mother’s. If a pregnant woman has Rh(D) negative blood and small amounts of Rh(D) positive blood from her fetus enters the maternal circulation (birth; miscarriage; amniocentesis; stillbirth), the mother produces antibodies against the baby’s red blood cells. This is seldom a problem in the first pregnancy but during subsequent pregnancies, antibody production is rapid and can enter the fetus circulation and cause destruction of the red blood cells.

Immunoglobulins to these antibodies can prevent the mother from producing anti-D antibodies by coating the red cells that enter the mother's circulation, and destroying them before they sensitise the mother's immune system.

Anti-D (Rh_o) immunoglobulin can only be obtained with a doctor’s prescription. Discuss with your doctor why it has been prescribed for you and the benefits and risks of this medicine.

NBI also distributes a Rapidtest^® to determine the Rh_O status of patients. This product is ideally suited for use in an antenatal Primary Health Care setting.