Erythrocyte Autoantibodies, Autoimmune Haemolysis and Pregnancy

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Abstract
The clinical and serological records of 20 pregnant patients with erythrocyte autoantibodies were critically reviewed and analyzed. This series, the largest reported, confirmed an association between erythrocyte autosensitization and pregnancy and suggested that this occurred on an average of 1 in 50,000 pregnancies. The clinical presentation varied from severe hemolytic anemia to serological abnormalities discovered during the routine testing of well patients; overt hemolysis was present in 7 cases. Treatment was only necessary in 3 patients where the hemolysis was severe. Three infants were mildly affected with hemolytic disease due to the maternal autoantibodies crossing the placenta but no treatment was needed. The risks to the infant were increased when other active autoimmune conditions (e.g., systemic lupus erythematosus) were present. With early diagnosis and appropriate treatment, the outlook for mother and child is good.