D-red blood cells (RBCs), always in short supply, and Rh immune globulin (RhIG) are not needed for patient care if D+ RBCs can safely be transfused. According to a recent work group recommendation, patients with the RHD*weak D type 4.0 allele can be considered D+. We report an African American woman who presented for delivery at the end of the third trimester, at which time anti-U and a serologic weak D phenotype were recognized, requiring U-, D-RBC units. We obtained 3 U-RBC units, including 1 D-unit. Later, the RHD*weak D type 4.0 allele was determined by RHD genotyping, only 6 days before delivery. The patient had an uneventful vaginal delivery of a D+ baby. No transfusion was needed for mother or baby. In this case, a pregnant woman with the RHD*weak D type 4.0 allele can safely be managed as D+, relaxing the unnecessary D-restriction for the limited U-RBC supply. The procured U-, D-RBC unit was frozen with 14 days of shelf-life remaining. To conserve D-RBC units, not limited to U-, for patients with a definite need, we recommend molecular analysis of a serologic weak D phenotype before a transfusion becomes imminent. The best time to resolve a serologic weak D phenotype with RHD genotyping is early in a pregnancy. Immunohematology 2021;37:1-4.
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