HEMOLYTIC DISEASE OF THE FETUS AND THE NEWBORN INFANT

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Abstract
The Rh factor of Landsteiner and Wiener1 has been shown to be related to about 90 per cent of the reactions to intragroup blood transfusion2 and to about 90 per cent of the cases of erythroblastosis (hemolytic disease of the fetus and of the newborn).3 In the typical case, the patient having a hemolytic reaction to an intragroup transfusion or the mother delivered of an erythroblastotic infant is found to have Rh-negative blood. However, since only 1 in about 25 to 50 persons with such blood is readily sensitized to the Rh factor, either by transfusion or by pregnancy, the mere fact that the patient's blood is Rh negative is not proof that the Rh factor is responsible for the pathologic state. One must prove in addition that sensitization to the Rh factor has occurred. TESTS FOR SENSITIVITY TO THE RH FACTOR Tests in General Use.—The