For an obstetric patient with a positive antibody screen, what is the likely reason?

For an obstetric patient with a positive antibody screen, what is the likely reason?

• A. Antibody formation to fetal red cells
• B. No antibodies due to first pregnancy
• C. Received antenatal RhIg dose
• D. Undetermined without testing

Answer: (C)

The presence of a positive antibody screen in an obstetric patient often indicates that the patient has developed antibodies against specific red blood cell antigens. In the context of an obstetric patient, one common reason for such antibody formation is that they have been sensitized to fetal red cell antigens, typically as a result of a previous pregnancy or a blood transfusion. However, the choice of having received an antenatal Rh immunoglobulin (RhIg) dose is significant in understanding the context. RhIg is administered to Rh-negative mothers during pregnancy and after delivery to prevent the development of anti-Rh antibodies, which are crucial in avoiding hemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN) in future pregnancies. If a patient has received RhIg, it is expected that they may not develop detectable anti-D antibodies, even if there is a possibility of them being sensitized. In cases where an obstetric patient has a positive antibody screen despite having received RhIg, this positive result could result from the presence of other antibodies (e.g., against other blood group antigens) that were not mitigated by the RhIg treatment. Thus, while RhIg effectively reduces the likelihood of anti-D antibody formation, it does not eliminate the possibility of other antibodies being

The presence of a positive antibody screen in an obstetric patient often indicates that the patient has developed antibodies against specific red blood cell antigens. In the context of an obstetric patient, one common reason for such antibody formation is that they have been sensitized to fetal red cell antigens, typically as a result of a previous pregnancy or a blood transfusion.

However, the choice of having received an antenatal Rh immunoglobulin (RhIg) dose is significant in understanding the context. RhIg is administered to Rh-negative mothers during pregnancy and after delivery to prevent the development of anti-Rh antibodies, which are crucial in avoiding hemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN) in future pregnancies. If a patient has received RhIg, it is expected that they may not develop detectable anti-D antibodies, even if there is a possibility of them being sensitized.

In cases where an obstetric patient has a positive antibody screen despite having received RhIg, this positive result could result from the presence of other antibodies (e.g., against other blood group antigens) that were not mitigated by the RhIg treatment. Thus, while RhIg effectively reduces the likelihood of anti-D antibody formation, it does not eliminate the possibility of other antibodies being