Hæmolytic Disease of the New‐born

Abstract

Summary The fate of the infants of 395 immunized Rh‐negative women has been analysed. The severity of the disease in the first affected child frequently sets the pattern for subsequent children. If the first affected child is mildly affected, the subsequent children are more likely to survive than to die ; and first‐born severely affected children are likely to be followed by stillbirths or fatally affected children. The parity of the mother when the first affected child is born is not related to the chances of survival of the infant. The severity of the disease increases as the mean titre of the incomplete antibody in the maternal serum rises, but there are numerous exceptions to the general rule. The effects of immunization by a blood transfusion are similar to those when immunization follows a pregnancy. The frequency of stillbirths is not significantly greater when immunization follows transfusions. The significance of these findings is discussed.