Transfusion Services

Hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN) is a life threatening complication of previous pregnancy or transfusion when maternal red cell antibodies cross the placenta and cause fetal hemolysis.

Neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (NATP) is similar to HDFN when maternal platelet antibody crosses the placenta and causes low platelet count in the fetus / newborn, increasing the risk of bleeding.

Using the latest genetic and antibody specificity technology, the mother, father and fetus can be tested to predict clinical risk of both HDFN and NATP.

Genetic testing can also resolve serological assignments of weak RhD (weak D) in pregnant patients to determine blood type and help with Rh immune globulin decisions.

For a mother with antibodies to RhD (anti-D), genetic testing determines if the father carries one or two copies of RhD gene (zygosity) to gauge fetal risk of “Rh disease.”

When a mother has a red cell antibody, the risk of the fetal expression of the red cell antigen is determined from testing samples from the mother, father and/or fetus. In these cases, genotyping the fetal cells can directly determine if there is incompatibility. Paternal testing can determine the risk of fetal incompatibility.

When a baby is born with a low platelet count, antibody and genetic testing determines if a maternal platelet antibody is the cause.

When a previous pregnancy was affected by NATP or the pregnancy of a mother’s female sibling was affected by NATP, genetic testing determines if the current fetus is at risk.

When weak D is present, genetic testing of the maternal sample is used to determine weak D blood type.