Fetal RhD genotyping by maternal serum analysis: a two-year experience

Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2005 Mar;192(3):666-9. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2004.10.632.

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the accuracy of the none-invasive prenatal determination of polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based fetal RhD genotyping.

Study design: A prospective case series was undertaken on all RhD-negative pregnant women presenting for genetic counseling in our prenatal diagnosis center from January 2001 until December 2002. Results were compared with serologic RhD typing of the newborns.

Results: Among the 285 pregnant women who participated in the study, fetal RhD status could be determined for 283 patients. In 2 cases, the RhD-negative phenotype of the mother was not the result of a complete RHD gene deletion, and therefore, the status of the fetus could not be determined. Neither false-negative nor false-positive results were observed.

Conclusion: The present report demonstrates that a reliable fetal RHD genotype determination can be achieved with 100% accuracy. It is therefore possible to consider that such an assay could be systematically proposed to all RhD-negative pregnant women in order to more effectively utilize RhD prophylaxis.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Blood Grouping and Crossmatching / methods*
  • Female
  • Fetus
  • Genetic Counseling
  • Genotype*
  • Humans
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Pregnancy
  • Prospective Studies
  • Rh Isoimmunization / prevention & control
  • Rh-Hr Blood-Group System / genetics*

Substances

  • Rh-Hr Blood-Group System
  • Rho(D) antigen