Before beginning the course take some time to review and think about what you already know about HDFN. For example, jot down brief notes to answer the following questions:
- Which antibody causes the most severe HDFN?
- Antibodies in which blood group system are the most common cause of positive direct antiglobulin tests (DATs) in newborns but rarely cause clinically significant hemolysis?
- Should DATs be performed on all newborns regardless of maternal ABO and Rh blood groups?
- What is Rh immune globulin (RhIg), its source, constituents, purpose, and mechanism of action?
- Which tests are used to determine postnatal RhIg dosage?
- Which type of D variant can produce anti-D?
- What follow-up tests are typically indicated if a pregnant female has a positive antibody screen when initially tested?
- Which laboratory findings would suggest that an infant may have ABO HDFN?
- How can the clinical status of fetuses at risk for HDFN be monitored?
- What are the characteristics of red cells suitable for intravenous transfusion to fetuses suffering from severe HDFN due to anti-D?
