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Clausen FB. Antenatal RHD screening to guide antenatal anti-D immunoprophylaxis in non-immunized D- pregnant women. Immunohematology 2024; 40:15-27. [PMID: 38739027 DOI: 10.2478/immunohematology-2024-004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/14/2024]
Abstract
In pregnancy, D- pregnant women may be at risk of becoming immunized against D when carrying a D+ fetus, which may eventually lead to hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn. Administrating antenatal and postnatal anti-D immunoglobulin prophylaxis decreases the risk of immunization substantially. Noninvasive fetal RHD genotyping, based on testing cell-free DNA extracted from maternal plasma, offers a reliable tool to predict the fetal RhD phenotype during pregnancy. Used as a screening program, antenatal RHD screening can guide the administration of antenatal prophylaxis in non-immunized D- pregnant women so that unnecessary prophylaxis is avoided in those women who carry a D- fetus. In Europe, antenatal RHD screening programs have been running since 2009, demonstrating high test accuracies and program feasibility. In this review, an overview is provided of current state-of-the-art antenatal RHD screening, which includes discussions on the rationale for its implementation, methodology, detection strategies, and test performance. The performance of antenatal RHD screening in a routine setting is characterized by high accuracy, with a high diagnostic sensitivity of ≥99.9 percent. The result of using antenatal RHD screening is that 97-99 percent of the women who carry a D- fetus avoid unnecessary prophylaxis. As such, this activity contributes to avoiding unnecessary treatment and saves valuable anti-D immunoglobulin, which has a shortage worldwide. The main challenges for a reliable noninvasive fetal RHD genotyping assay are low cell-free DNA levels, the genetics of the Rh blood group system, and choosing an appropriate detection strategy for an admixed population. In many parts of the world, however, the main challenge is to improve the basic care for D- pregnant women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frederik B Clausen
- Laboratory of Blood Genetics, Department of Clinical Immunology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Fung-Kee-Fung K, Wong K, Walsh J, Hamel C, Clarke G. Directive clinique n o 448 : Prévention de l'allo-immunisation Rhésus D. JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY CANADA 2024; 46:102448. [PMID: 38553006 DOI: 10.1016/j.jogc.2024.102448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/13/2024]
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Fung-Kee-Fung K, Wong K, Walsh J, Hamel C, Clarke G. Guideline No. 448: Prevention of Rh D Alloimmunization. JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY CANADA 2024; 46:102449. [PMID: 38553007 DOI: 10.1016/j.jogc.2024.102449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/13/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This guideline provides recommendations for the prevention of Rh D alloimmunization (isoimmunization) in pregnancy, including parental testing, routine postpartum and antepartum prophylaxis, and other clinical indications for prophylaxis. Prevention of red cell alloimmunization in pregnancy with atypical antigens (other than the D antigen), for which immunoprophylaxis is not currently available, is not addressed in this guideline. TARGET POPULATION All Rh D-negative pregnant individuals at risk for Rh D alloimmunization due to potential exposure to a paternally derived fetal Rh D antigen. OUTCOMES Routine postpartum and antepartum Rh D immunoprophylaxis reduces the risk of Rh D alloimmunization at 6 months postpartum and in a subsequent pregnancy. BENEFITS, HARMS, AND COSTS This guideline details the population of pregnant individuals who may benefit from Rho(D) immune globulin (RhIG) immunoprophylaxis. Thus, those for whom the intervention is not required may avoid adverse effects, while those who are at risk of alloimmunization may mitigate this risk for themselves and/or their fetus. EVIDENCE For recommendations regarding use of RhIG, Medline and Medline in Process via Ovid and Embase Classic + Embase via Ovid were searched using both the trials and observational studies search strategies with study design filters. For trials, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects via Ovid were also searched. All databases were searched from January 2000 to November 26, 2019. Studies published before 2000 were captured from the grey literature of national obstetrics and gynaecology specialty societies, luminary specialty journals, and bibliographic searching. A formal process for the systematic review was undertaken for this update, as described in the systematic review manuscript published separately. VALIDATION METHODS The authors rated the quality of evidence and strength of recommendations using the SOGC's modified GRADE approach. See Appendix A (Tables A1 for definitions and A2 for interpretations of strong and conditional [weak] recommendations). INTENDED AUDIENCE The intended users of this guideline include prenatal care providers such as obstetricians, midwives, family physicians, emergency room physicians, and residents, as well as registered nurses and nurse practitioners. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT An updated Canadian guideline for prevention of Rh D alloimmunization addresses D variants, cffDNA for fetal Rh type, and updates recommendations on timing of RhIG administration. SUMMARY STATEMENTS RECOMMENDATIONS.
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Uzunel M, Tiblad E, Mörtberg A, Wikman A. Single-exon approach to non-invasive fetal RHD screening in early pregnancy: An update after 10 years' experience. Vox Sang 2022; 117:1296-1301. [PMID: 36102142 PMCID: PMC9826394 DOI: 10.1111/vox.13348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Revised: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Anti-D prophylaxis, administered to RhD-negative women, has significantly reduced the incidence of RhD immunization. Non-invasive fetal RHD screening has been used in Stockholm for more than 10 years to identify women who will benefit from prophylaxis. The method is based on a single-exon approach and is used in early pregnancy. The aim of this study was to update the performance of the method. MATERIALS AND METHODS The single exon assay from Devyser AB is a multiplex kit detecting both exon 4 of the RHD gene and the housekeeping gene GAPDH. Cell-free DNA was extracted from 1 ml of plasma from EDTA blood taken during early pregnancy, weeks 10-12. The genetic RHD results were compared with serological typing of newborns for a determination of sensitivity and specificity. RESULTS In total, 4337 pregnancies were included in the study; 44 samples (1%) were inconclusive either due to maternal RHD gene variants (n = 34) or technical reasons (n = 10). Of the remaining 4293 pregnancies, a total number of nine discrepant results were found. False positive results (n = 7) were mainly (n = 4) due to RHD gene variants in the child. False-negative results were found in two cases, of which one was caused by a technical error. None of the false-negative cases was due to RHD gene variants. Overall, the sensitivity of the method was 99.93% and specificity 99.56%. CONCLUSION The single-exon assay used in this study is correlated with high sensitivity and specificity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehmet Uzunel
- Division of Therapeutic Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, Karolinska InstitutetSolnaSweden
| | - Eleonor Tiblad
- Department of Women's Health, Division of ObstetricsKarolinska University HospitalStockholmSweden,Clinical Epidemiology Division, Department of Medicine SolnaKarolinska InstitutetSolnaSweden
| | - Anette Mörtberg
- The Department of Clinical Immunology and Transfusion MedicineKarolinska University HospitalStockholmSweden
| | - Agneta Wikman
- The Department of Clinical Immunology and Transfusion MedicineKarolinska University HospitalStockholmSweden
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Mandrik O, Thomas C, Whyte S, Chilcott J. Calibrating Natural History of Cancer Models in the Presence of Data Incompatibility: Problems and Solutions. PHARMACOECONOMICS 2022; 40:359-366. [PMID: 34993914 DOI: 10.1007/s40273-021-01125-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The calibration of cancer natural history models is often challenged by a lack of representative calibration targets, forcing modellers to rely on potentially incompatible datasets. Using a microsimulation colorectal cancer model as an example, the purposes of this paper are to (1) highlight the reasons for uncertainty in calibration targets, (2) illustrate practical and generalisable approaches for dealing with incompatibility in calibration targets, and (3) discuss the importance of future research in the area of incorporating uncertainty in calibration. The low quality of data and differences in populations, outcome definitions, and healthcare systems may result in incompatibility between the model and the data. Acknowledging reasons for data incompatibility allows assessment of the risk of incompatibility before calibrating the model. Only a few approaches are available to address data incompatibility, for instance addressing biases in calibration targets and their adjustment, relaxing the goodness-of-fit metric, and validation of the calibration targets to the data not used in the calibration. However, these approaches lack explicit comparison and validation, and so more research is needed to describe the nature and causes of indirect uncertainty (i.e. uncertainty that cannot be expressed in absolute quantitative forms) and identify methods for managing this uncertainty in healthcare modelling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olena Mandrik
- School of Health and Related Research, Health Economics and Decision Science, University of Sheffield, Regent Court, Sheffield, S1 4DA, UK.
| | - Chloe Thomas
- School of Health and Related Research, Health Economics and Decision Science, University of Sheffield, Regent Court, Sheffield, S1 4DA, UK
| | - Sophie Whyte
- School of Health and Related Research, Health Economics and Decision Science, University of Sheffield, Regent Court, Sheffield, S1 4DA, UK
| | - James Chilcott
- School of Health and Related Research, Health Economics and Decision Science, University of Sheffield, Regent Court, Sheffield, S1 4DA, UK
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Sørensen K, Stjern HE, Karlsen BAG, Tomter G, Ystad I, Herud I, Baevre MS, Llohn AH, Akkök ÇA. Following targeted routine antenatal anti-D prophylaxis, almost half of the pregnant women had undetectable anti-D prophylaxis at delivery. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 2022; 101:431-440. [PMID: 35224728 DOI: 10.1111/aogs.14328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Revised: 01/09/2022] [Accepted: 01/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION In September 2016, a nationwide targeted routine antenatal anti-D prophylaxis program was implemented in Norway. The prophylaxis (anti-D immunoglobulin) aims to cover the whole third trimester and is administered in gestational week 28 to RhD-negative women who carry RhD-positive fetuses. However, in many women, antibody screening at delivery does not detect anti-D immunoglobulin. The goal of this study was to investigate the presumable role of dose and timing of antenatal anti-D immunoglobulin administration in non-detectable prophylaxis at the time of delivery. MATERIAL AND METHODS In this retrospective observational study, RhD-negative pregnant women who gave birth at Oslo University Hospital and Akershus University Hospital between January 2017 and December 2019 were analyzed. Women who received antenatal anti-D immunoglobulin (1500 IU at Oslo University Hospital and 1250 IU at Akershus University Hospital) when fetal RHD genotyping at gestational week 24 predicted an RhD-positive fetus were included if an antibody screen at delivery was available. Data from the blood bank, maternity information systems, and electronic patient records were used. RESULTS Analysis of the 984 RhD-negative women at the two hospitals revealed that 45.4% had non-detectable anti-D at delivery. A significant difference between the two hospitals was observed: 40.5% at Oslo University Hospital (n = 509) and 50.7% at Akershus University Hospital (n = 475) (p = 0.001). The proportion with non-detectable anti-D increased to 56.0 and 75.3%, respectively (p = 0.008) in the group of women who gave birth 12 weeks after routine antenatal anti-D prophylaxis. Significantly fewer women had detectable anti-D at delivery when the lower anti-D immunoglobulin dose (1250 IU) was administered antenatally. Multiple logistic regression indicated that the time interval between routine antenatal anti-D prophylaxis and delivery, in addition to anti-D dose, were significantly associated with detectable anti-D at delivery (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS We do not know which RhD-negative pregnant women, despite antenatal anti-D prophylaxis, are at risk of RhD alloimmunization, when antibody screening is negative at delivery. Administration of antenatal prophylaxis should probably be moved closer to delivery, since the risk of fetomaternal hemorrhage is higher during the last weeks of the third trimester.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirsten Sørensen
- Department of Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Helena Eriksson Stjern
- Department of Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway
| | | | - Geir Tomter
- Department of Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Inger Ystad
- Department of Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway
| | - Ida Herud
- Department of Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Mette Silihagen Baevre
- Department of Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Abid Hussain Llohn
- Department of Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway
| | - Çiğdem Akalın Akkök
- Department of Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
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Jourdren G, Berveiller P, Rousseau A. Practices for RhD alloimmunization prevention: a vignette-based survey of midwives. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med 2021; 35:7629-7639. [PMID: 34433367 DOI: 10.1080/14767058.2021.1957822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Despite the availability guidelines to prevent RhD alloimmunization, severe hemolytic disease of fetus and newborn still occurs in high-income countries. The aim of the study was (1) To assess variations in practices for the prevention of RhD alloimmunization, and (2) to understand midwives' acceptance and appropriation of fetal RhD genotyping. METHODS Descriptive cross-sectional survey of French midwives from September 2017 through January 2018. Participants were asked to complete an internet-based questionnaire that included three clinical vignettes. They were questioned about their practices concerning early pregnancy visit by RhD-negative women, prevention of RhD alloimmunization in women with second-trimester metrorrhagia, and RhD fetal genotyping. RESULTS A total of 827 midwives completed the questionnaire. Only 21.1% reported that they practice all the preventive measures recommended in early pregnancy. In a situation at high risk of RhD alloimmunization during pregnancy, 97.2% of midwives would perform immunoprophylaxis. Nearly, all midwives reported providing information about RhD alloimmunization (92.4%) at the beginning of pregnancy, although only 11.3% offered both written and verbal information; at the time of systematic anti-D immunoprophylaxis (28 weeks), 78% provided information, but only 2.7% both verbally and in writing. Finally, only 50.8% of midwives preferred to include RhD fetal genotyping in routine prenatal prophylaxis. DISCUSSION This study showed significant variations in French midwives' practices to prevent RhD alloimmunization. Better dissemination of guidelines is needed to improve both consistent use of these practices and the quality of information delivered to RhD-negative pregnant women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guenola Jourdren
- Midwifery Department, Versailles Saint Quentin University, Paris-Saclay University, Montigny-le-Bretonneux, France
| | - Paul Berveiller
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Poissy-Saint-Germain en Laye Hospital, Poissy, France.,INRAE, Paris Saclay University, UMR 1198 - BREED, RHuMA, Montigny-Le-Bretonneux, France
| | - Anne Rousseau
- Midwifery Department, Versailles Saint Quentin University, Paris-Saclay University, Montigny-le-Bretonneux, France.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Poissy-Saint-Germain en Laye Hospital, Poissy, France.,Paris-Saclay University, UVSQ, CESP, Equipe Epidémiologie clinique, Montigny-le-Bretonneux, France
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Jernman R, Isaksson C, Haimila K, Kuosmanen M, Mäkikallio-Anttila K, Toivonen S, Ordén MR, Sulin K, Tihtonen K, Vääräsmäki M, Sainio S. Time points and risk factors for RhD immunizations after the implementation of targeted routine antenatal anti-D prophylaxis: A retrospective nationwide cohort study. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 2021; 100:1868-1875. [PMID: 34157128 DOI: 10.1111/aogs.14216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2021] [Revised: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Targeted routine antenatal anti-D prophylaxis was introduced to the national prophylaxis program in Finland in late 2013. The aim of this study was to assess the incidence, time-points, and risk factors for Rhesus D immunization after the implementation of routine antenatal anti-D prophylaxis, in all women in Finland with antenatal anti-D antibodies detected in 2014-2017. MATERIAL AND METHODS In a nationwide population-based retrospective cohort study, the incidence, time-points, and risk factors of anti-D immunizations were analyzed. Information on antenatal screening was obtained from the Finnish Red Cross Blood Service database, and obstetric data from hospital records and the Finnish Medical Birth Register. RESULTS The study included a total of 228 women (197 with complete data for all pregnancies). After the implementation of routine antenatal anti-D prophylaxis, the prevalence of pregnancies with anti-D antibodies decreased from 1.52% in 2014 to 0.88% in 2017, and the corresponding incidence of new immunizations decreased from 0.33% to 0.10%. Time-points for detection of new anti-D antibodies before and after 2014 were the first screening sample at 8-12 weeks of gestation in 52% versus 19%, the second sample at 24-26 weeks in 20% versus 50%, and the third screening at 36 weeks in 28% versus 32%. CONCLUSIONS The incidence of new anti-D immunizations decreased as expected after the implementation of routine antenatal anti-D prophylaxis. True failures are rare and they mainly occur when the prophylaxis is not given appropriately, suggesting a need for constant education of healthcare professionals on the subject.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riina Jernman
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Camilla Isaksson
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | | | | | | | - Maija-Riitta Ordén
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Kati Sulin
- Finnish Red Cross Blood Service, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Kati Tihtonen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland
| | - Marja Vääräsmäki
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland
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Wikman A, Mörtberg A, Jalkesten E, Jansson Y, Karlsson A, Tiblad E, Ajne G. Altered strategy of prophylactic anti-D administration in pregnancy to cover term and post-term - a pilot study. Vox Sang 2021; 116:1005-1011. [PMID: 33772800 DOI: 10.1111/vox.13092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2020] [Revised: 01/10/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Routine antenatal anti-D prophylaxis (RAADP) to RhD-negative women is most often administered in gestational age (GA) 28-30 weeks with the next anti-D dose administered postpartum. The aim of this study was to analyse the proportion of RhD-negative women where RAADP is not detectable at term and in a pilot study to investigate whether RAADP administered in GA 28 and 38 results in detectable levels at term, post-term and post-delivery. MATERIALS AND METHODS In a retrospective analysis, 4280 RhD-negative women carrying an RHD positive fetus were included and the proportion with a negative antibody screen at delivery was determined. In the second part, 39 pregnancies were included prospectively, a second dose of RAADP was administered in GA 38 weeks, and anti-D was quantified before the second dose and then weekly for 5 weeks. RESULTS In the retrospective analysis, 20·5% (856/4280) with RAADP administered in GA 28 were negative in routine antibody screening at delivery. In the small prospective study, 18% (7/39) had a negative antibody screen and 26% (10/39) had levels below 0·005 IU/ml, in the quantification assay, in GA 38. Anti-D prophylaxis administered in GA 38 showed detectable levels of anti-D up to 30 days post-delivery, with concentration at delivery 0·060 ± 0·034 IU/ml (mean ± SD). CONCLUSION Approximately 20% of the RhD-negative women show non-detectable levels of anti-D at term. A second dose of RAADP at GA 38 results in stable concentrations of anti-D at term, post-term and post-delivery, but with large interindividual variation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agneta Wikman
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.,Division of Immunology, Department of CLINTEC, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anette Mörtberg
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.,Division of Immunology, Department of CLINTEC, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Elisabeth Jalkesten
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Yvonne Jansson
- Pregnancy Care & Delivery, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anita Karlsson
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Eleonor Tiblad
- Center for Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.,Clinical Epidemiology Division, Department of Medicine Solna, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Gunilla Ajne
- Pregnancy Care & Delivery, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.,Division of Obstet & Gynecol, Department of CLINTEC, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
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Pazourkova E, Zednikova I, Korabecna M, Kralova J, Pisacka M, Novotna M, Calda P, Horinek A. Optimization of diagnostic strategy for non-invasive cell-free foetal RHD determination from maternal plasma. Vox Sang 2021; 116:1012-1019. [PMID: 33761162 DOI: 10.1111/vox.13099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2020] [Revised: 11/20/2020] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES The aim of the study was to optimize routine non-invasive prenatal detection of fetal RHD gene from plasma of RhD-negative pregnant women (the median of gestational age was 25 weeks, range 10-38) to detect RhD materno-fetal incompatibility and to avoid the redundant immunoprophylaxis. MATERIALS AND METHODS Initially only one exon of RHD gene (exon 10) was investigated in 281 plasma samples (144 verified after delivery), in the second phase three RHD exons (5, 7, 10) were analyzed in 246 samples of plasma and maternal genomic DNA (204 verified) by real-time PCR method. Detection of Y-chromosomal sequence DYS-14 and five X-chromosomal insertion/deletion polymorphisms was used to confirm the fetal cfDNA detectability in plasma. Specific polymorphisms in RHD gene were detected by sequence-specific primer PCR in nine samples. RESULTS When only the RHD exon 10 was tested, 2·8% of verified samples were false positive and 3·5% false negative. With three RHD exons (5, 7, 10) and maternal genomic DNA testing, only one case was false negative (0·5%). Nine samples were inconclusive due to RHD-positive results in maternal genomic DNA. These samples were analyzed for specific mutations in RHD gene. Combination of both methods for fetal cfDNA verification succeeded in 75% of tested group. CONCLUSION Implementation of analysis of three RHD exons and maternal genomic DNA to routine practice lowers dramatically the ratio of false positive and negative results. This method enables more accurate determination of fetal RHD status with the reduction of unnecessary medical care and RhD immunoprophylaxis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Pazourkova
- Institute of Biology and Medical Genetics, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, Praha, Czech Republic.,Department of Nephrology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, Praha, Czech Republic
| | - Iveta Zednikova
- Institute of Biology and Medical Genetics, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, Praha, Czech Republic
| | - Marie Korabecna
- Institute of Biology and Medical Genetics, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, Praha, Czech Republic
| | - Jana Kralova
- Department of Immunohematology, Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Pisacka
- Department of Immunohematology, Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Michaela Novotna
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, Praha, Czech Republic
| | - Pavel Calda
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, Praha, Czech Republic
| | - Ales Horinek
- Institute of Biology and Medical Genetics, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, Praha, Czech Republic.,3rd Department of Medicine, Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, Praha, Czech Republic
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Padilla LMK, Powell M, Kay M, Hullman J. Uncertain About Uncertainty: How Qualitative Expressions of Forecaster Confidence Impact Decision-Making With Uncertainty Visualizations. Front Psychol 2021; 11:579267. [PMID: 33564298 PMCID: PMC7868089 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.579267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
When forecasting events, multiple types of uncertainty are often inherently present in the modeling process. Various uncertainty typologies exist, and each type of uncertainty has different implications a scientist might want to convey. In this work, we focus on one type of distinction between direct quantitative uncertainty and indirect qualitative uncertainty. Direct quantitative uncertainty describes uncertainty about facts, numbers, and hypotheses that can be communicated in absolute quantitative forms such as probability distributions or confidence intervals. Indirect qualitative uncertainty describes the quality of knowledge concerning how effectively facts, numbers, or hypotheses represent reality, such as evidence confidence scales proposed by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. A large body of research demonstrates that both experts and novices have difficulty reasoning with quantitative uncertainty, and visualizations of uncertainty can help with such traditionally challenging concepts. However, the question of if, and how, people may reason with multiple types of uncertainty associated with a forecast remains largely unexplored. In this series of studies, we seek to understand if individuals can integrate indirect uncertainty about how "good" a model is (operationalized as a qualitative expression of forecaster confidence) with quantified uncertainty in a prediction (operationalized as a quantile dotplot visualization of a predicted distribution). Our first study results suggest that participants utilize both direct quantitative uncertainty and indirect qualitative uncertainty when conveyed as quantile dotplots and forecaster confidence. In manipulations where forecasters were less sure about their prediction, participants made more conservative judgments. In our second study, we varied the amount of quantified uncertainty (in the form of the SD of the visualized distributions) to examine how participants' decisions changed under different combinations of quantified uncertainty (variance) and qualitative uncertainty (low, medium, and high forecaster confidence). The second study results suggest that participants updated their judgments in the direction predicted by both qualitative confidence information (e.g., becoming more conservative when the forecaster confidence is low) and quantitative uncertainty (e.g., becoming more conservative when the variance is increased). Based on the findings from both experiments, we recommend that forecasters present qualitative expressions of model confidence whenever possible alongside quantified uncertainty.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lace M. K. Padilla
- Spatial Perception, Applied Cognition and Education (SPACE) Lab, Cognitive and Information Sciences, University of California Merced, Merced, CA, United States
| | - Maia Powell
- Applied Mathematics, University of California Merced, Merced, CA, United States
| | - Matthew Kay
- Midwest Uncertainty Collective (MU Collective), Computer Science and Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, United States
| | - Jessica Hullman
- Midwest Uncertainty Collective (MU Collective), Computer Science and Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, United States
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Toly‐Ndour C, Huguet‐Jacquot S, Mailloux A, Delaby H, Canellini G, Olsson ML, Wikman A, Koelewijn JM, Minon J, Legler TJ, Clausen FB, Lambert M, Ryan H, Bricl I, Hasslund S, Orzinska A, Guz K, Uhrynowska M, Matteocci A, Nogues N, Muniz‐Diaz E, Sainio S, De Haas M, Van der Schoot CE. Rh disease prevention: the European Perspective. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/voxs.12617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Cécile Toly‐Ndour
- Laboratory of the French National Reference Center in Perinatal Hemobiology Assistance Publique des Hôpitaux de Paris (AP‐HP) Paris France
| | - Stéphanie Huguet‐Jacquot
- Laboratory of the French National Reference Center in Perinatal Hemobiology Assistance Publique des Hôpitaux de Paris (AP‐HP) Paris France
| | - Agnès Mailloux
- Laboratory of the French National Reference Center in Perinatal Hemobiology Assistance Publique des Hôpitaux de Paris (AP‐HP) Paris France
| | - Hélène Delaby
- Laboratory of the French National Reference Center in Perinatal Hemobiology Assistance Publique des Hôpitaux de Paris (AP‐HP) Paris France
| | - Giorgia Canellini
- Transfusion Medicine Unit Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois Lausanne Switzerland
| | - Martin L. Olsson
- Department of Laboratory Medicine Lund University Lund Sweden
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Transfusion Medicine Office of Medical ServicesLund Sweden
| | - Agneta Wikman
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Transfusion Medicine Intervention and Technology Karolinska Institutet Karolinska University Hospital and Clinical Science Stockholm Sweden
| | - Joke M. Koelewijn
- Department of Experimental Immunohaematology Sanquin Research and Landsteiner Laboratory Amsterdam The Netherlands
| | - Jean‐Marc Minon
- Laboratory Medicine Department of Thrombosis‐ Haemostasis and Transfusion Centre Hospitalier Régional de la Citadelle Liège Belgium
| | - Tobias J. Legler
- Department of Transfusion Medicine University Medical Center Göttingen Germany
| | - Frederik B. Clausen
- Laboratory of Blood Genetics Department of Clinical Immunology Copenhagen University Hospital Copenhagen Denmark
| | - Mark Lambert
- Irish Blood Transfusion Service Blood Group Genetics National Blood Center Dublin Ireland
| | - Helen Ryan
- Irish Blood Transfusion Service Blood Group Genetics National Blood Center Dublin Ireland
| | - Irena Bricl
- Department of Immunohematology Blood Transfusion Center of Slovenia Ljubljana Slovenia
| | - Sys Hasslund
- Department of Clinical Immunology Aarhus University Hospital Aarhus Denmark
| | - Agnieszka Orzinska
- Department of Immunohaematology and Immunology of Blood Transfusion Institute of Haematology and Blood Transfusion Warsaw Poland
| | - Katarzyna Guz
- Department of Immunohaematology and Immunology of Blood Transfusion Institute of Haematology and Blood Transfusion Warsaw Poland
| | - Malgorzata Uhrynowska
- Department of Immunohaematology and Immunology of Blood Transfusion Institute of Haematology and Blood Transfusion Warsaw Poland
| | - Antonella Matteocci
- Department of Transfusion Medicine San Camillo Forlanini Hospital Roma Italy
| | - Nuria Nogues
- Immunohematology Department Banc de Sang i Teixits Barcelona Spain
| | | | | | - Masja De Haas
- Department of Immunohaematology Diagnostics and of Experimental Immunohaematology Sanquin Diagnostic Services and Sanquin Research Amsterdam Netherlands
| | - C. Ellen Van der Schoot
- Department of Immunohaematology Diagnostics and of Experimental Immunohaematology Sanquin Diagnostic Services and Sanquin Research Amsterdam Netherlands
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13
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Visser GHA, Thommesen T, Di Renzo GC, Nassar AH, Spitalnik SL. FIGO/ICM guidelines for preventing Rhesus disease: A call to action. Int J Gynaecol Obstet 2021; 152:144-147. [PMID: 33128246 PMCID: PMC7898700 DOI: 10.1002/ijgo.13459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Accepted: 10/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The introduction of anti‐Rh(D) immunoglobulin more than 50 years ago has resulted in only a 50% decrease in Rhesus disease globally owing to a low uptake of this prophylactic approach. The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics, International Confederation of Midwives, and Worldwide Initiative for Rhesus Disease Eradication have reviewed current evidence regarding the utility of anti‐Rh(D) immunoglobulin. Taking into account the effectiveness anti‐Rh(D), the new guidelines propose adjusting the dose for different indications and prioritizing its administration by indication. These FIGO/ICM guidelines review the evidence regarding the usefulness of anti‐Rh(D) immunoglobulin, prioritizing its administration by indication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerard H A Visser
- International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics, London, UK.,Worldwide Initiative for Rh Disease Eradication, New York, NY, USA
| | - Trude Thommesen
- Worldwide Initiative for Rh Disease Eradication, New York, NY, USA.,International Confederation of Midwives, The Hague, the Netherlands
| | | | - Anwar H Nassar
- International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics, London, UK
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14
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Legler TJ. RhIg for the prevention Rh immunization and IVIg for the treatment of affected neonates. Transfus Apher Sci 2020; 59:102950. [PMID: 33004277 DOI: 10.1016/j.transci.2020.102950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Rhesus D (RhD) negative pregnant women carrying an RhD positive fetus are at risk of developing anti-D during or after pregnancy. Anti-d-immunoglobulin (RhIg), which is mainly produced from special plasma donated in a few countries for the whole world, is able to prevent an anti-D alloimmunization. Through the introduction of ante- and postnatal anti-d-prophylaxis into clinical routine, the frequency of hemolytic disease of fetus and newborn decreased considerably. Postnatal prophylaxis from the beginning in the 1960s has been applied only to women who delivered an RhD positive newborn. Because the fetal RhD status can be determined with high sensitivity and accuracy from the mother's peripheral blood, targeted antenatal anti-d-prophylaxis is becoming a new standard procedure in more and more countries. Phototherapy and exchange transfusion are still the main pillars for the treatment of RhD hemolytic disease of the newborn. The efficacy of IVIg in the management of these neonates is not conclusive and cannot be recommended until a larger randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study is performed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias J Legler
- Department of Transfusion Medicine, University Medical Center, Georg-August-University, Göttingen, Germany.
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15
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Xie X, Fu Q, Bao Z, Zhang Y, Zhou D. Clinical value of different anti-D immunoglobulin strategies for preventing Rh hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn: A network meta-analysis. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0230073. [PMID: 32163467 PMCID: PMC7067404 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0230073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2019] [Accepted: 02/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Several anti-D immunoglobulin strategies exist for preventing Rh hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn. This study systematically assessed the clinical value of those therapeutic strategies. METHODS The Web of Science, PubMed, EMBASE, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) and Wanfang databases were searched for eligible studies that evaluated the value of different anti-D immunoglobulin strategies in preventing maternal anti-D antibody sensitization. Combined odds ratios (ORs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. The network meta-analysis was conducted using Stata 14.2 and WinBUGS 1.4.3 software. RESULTS Twenty-four original studies involving 64860 patients were included. Among all therapeutic measures, injecting 300 μg anti-D immunoglobulin at 28 and 34 gestational weeks (antenatal 5/E) appeared to be the most effective measure for preventing maternal antibody sensitization (surface under the cumulative ranking curve [SUCRA] = 96.8%), while a single injection at 28 gestational weeks (SUCRA = 89.2%) was the second most effective. Administering no injection or a placebo (SUCRA = 0.0%) was the least effective intervention measure. CONCLUSION Among the therapeutic measures, antenatal 5/E appeared to be the best method for reducing the positive incidence of anti-D antibodies in the maternal serum; thus, it may be the most effective treatment for preventing fetal hemolytic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohui Xie
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First People's Hospital of Neijiang, Neijiang, Sichuan Province, P. R. China
| | - Qiurong Fu
- Department of Nursing, The first Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan Province, P. R. China
| | - Ziwei Bao
- Department of medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan Province, P. R. China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, the First People's Hospital of Neijiang, Neijiang, Sichuan Province, P. R. China
| | - Dan Zhou
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First People's Hospital of Neijiang, Neijiang, Sichuan Province, P. R. China
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16
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Clausen FB, Hellberg Å. External quality assessment of noninvasive fetal
RHD
genotyping. Vox Sang 2020; 115:466-471. [DOI: 10.1111/vox.12908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2019] [Revised: 02/17/2020] [Accepted: 02/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Frederik Banch Clausen
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Rigshospitalet Copenhagen University Hospital Copenhagen Denmark
| | - Åsa Hellberg
- Nordic Reference Laboratory for Genomic Blood Group Typing Department of Clinical Immunology and Transfusion Medicine Office of Medical Services Lund Sweden
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17
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Runkel B, Bein G, Sieben W, Sow D, Polus S, Fleer D. Targeted antenatal anti-D prophylaxis for RhD-negative pregnant women: a systematic review. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2020; 20:83. [PMID: 32033599 PMCID: PMC7006196 DOI: 10.1186/s12884-020-2742-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2019] [Accepted: 01/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background All non-sensitized Rhesus D (RhD)-negative pregnant women in Germany receive antenatal anti-D prophylaxis without knowledge of fetal RhD status. Non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) of cell-free fetal DNA in maternal plasma could avoid unnecessary anti-D administration. In this paper, we systematically reviewed the evidence on the benefit of NIPT for fetal RhD status in RhD-negative pregnant women. Methods We systematically searched several bibliographic databases, trial registries, and other sources (up to October 2019) for controlled intervention studies investigating NIPT for fetal RhD versus conventional anti-D prophylaxis. The focus was on the impact on fetal and maternal morbidity. We primarily considered direct evidence (from randomized controlled trials) or if unavailable, linked evidence (from diagnostic accuracy studies and from controlled intervention studies investigating the administration or withholding of anti-D prophylaxis). The results of diagnostic accuracy studies were pooled in bivariate meta-analyses. Results Neither direct evidence nor sufficient data for linked evidence were identified. Meta-analysis of data from about 60,000 participants showed high sensitivity (99.9%; 95% CI [99.5%; 100%] and specificity (99.2%; 95% CI [98.5%; 99.5%]). Conclusions NIPT for fetal RhD status is equivalent to conventional serologic testing using the newborn’s blood. Studies investigating patient-relevant outcomes are still lacking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Britta Runkel
- Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG), Cologne, Germany.
| | - Gregor Bein
- Institute for Clinical Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Wiebke Sieben
- Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG), Cologne, Germany
| | - Dorothea Sow
- Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG), Cologne, Germany
| | - Stephanie Polus
- Institute for Research in Operative Medicine, Witten/Herdecke University, Cologne, Germany
| | - Daniel Fleer
- Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG), Cologne, Germany
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18
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Fyfe TM, Lavoie JG, Payne GW, Banner D. Rhesus D factor (RhD) negative women's experiences with pregnancy: An interpretive description. Women Birth 2020; 33:e511-e518. [PMID: 32035799 DOI: 10.1016/j.wombi.2020.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2019] [Revised: 01/17/2020] [Accepted: 01/18/2020] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The development of rh immune globulin (RhIG) for the prevention of Rhesus D (RhD) alloimmunization has significantly decreased the incidence of RhD alloimmunization. Despite long-standing prevention, the experiences of RhD negative women with pregnancy is absent in the literature. AIM The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of RhD negative women with pregnancy. METHODS Utilizing an Interpretive Description approach, semi-structured interviews were conducted with RhD negative women about their pregnancies. This study took place within the geographic context of northern British Columbia (BC). The analysis involved a two-cycle approach to identify themes within the data. FINDINGS Sixteen RhD negative women that live in northern BC participated in this study. The analysis identified that RhD negative women are uninformed and want to be involved in the decision-making process regarding the prevention of RhD alloimmunization. The themes that emerged from the interview data were communication, information-seeking behaviour, out of sight out of mind, choice and trust, and patient advocacy. DISCUSSION The participants in this study described lacking information regarding the prevention of RhD alloimmunization. They sought information to overcome the gaps in knowledge and a desire to be involved in the decision-making process. CONCLUSION RhD negative women want information and to be involved in the decision-making process in the prevention of RhD alloimmunization. Working with RhD negative women to develop decision-aids and/or other educational tools to aid in the decision-making process are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trina M Fyfe
- Health Sciences Librarian, Northern Medical Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Northern British Columbia, 3333 University Way, Prince George, British Columbia, V2N 4Z9, Canada.
| | - Josée G Lavoie
- Dept of Community Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, #715, 727 McDermot Avenue, Winnipeg, MB, R3E 3P5, Canada
| | - Geoffrey W Payne
- Northern Medical Program, University of Northern British Columbia, 3333 University Way, Prince George, British Columbia, V2N 4Z9, Canada
| | - Davina Banner
- School of Nursing, University of Northern British Columbia, 3333 University Way, Prince George, British Columbia, V2N 4Z9, Canada
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19
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Gudlaugsson B, Hjartardottir H, Svansdottir G, Gudmundsdottir G, Kjartansson S, Jonsson T, Gudmundsson S, Halldorsdottir AM. Rhesus D alloimmunization in pregnancy from 1996 to 2015 in Iceland: a nation-wide population study prior to routine antenatal anti-D prophylaxis. Transfusion 2019; 60:175-183. [PMID: 31850521 DOI: 10.1111/trf.15635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2019] [Revised: 11/22/2019] [Accepted: 11/24/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rhesus D (RhD) incompatibility is still the most important cause of hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN) worldwide. The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence, causes, and consequences of anti-D alloimmunizations in pregnancy in Iceland, prior to implementation of targeted routine antenatal anti-D prophylaxis (RAADP) in 2018. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS This was a nation-wide cohort study of 130 pregnancies affected by RhD alloimmunization in Iceland in the period from 1996 through 2015. Data were collected from transfusion medicine databases, medical records, and the Icelandic Medical Birth Register. RESULTS Of 130 RhD alloimmunizations, 80 cases (61.5%) represented new RhD immunization in the current pregnancy. Sensitization was discovered in the third trimester in 41 (51.3%) and occurred in the first pregnancy in 14 cases (17.5%). The most likely causative immunization event was the index pregnancy for 45 (56.25%), a previous pregnancy/birth for 26 (32.5%), abortion for 3 (3.75%), and unknown for 6 women (7.5%). Higher anti-D titers were associated with shorter gestational length, cesarean sections, positive direct antiglobulin test (DAT), and severe HDFN. Intrauterine transfusion (IUT) was performed in five pregnancies (3.8%), and 35 of 132 (26.5%) live-born neonates received treatment for HDFN; 32 received phototherapy (24.2%), 13 exchange transfusion (9.8%), and seven simple blood transfusion (5.3%). CONCLUSION In about half of cases, RhD alloimmunization was caused by the index pregnancy and discovered in the third trimester. Thus, the newly implemented RAADP protocol should be effective in reducing the incidence of RhD immunization in Iceland in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hulda Hjartardottir
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Landspitali -The National University Hospital of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - Gudrun Svansdottir
- Blood Bank, Landspitali -The National University Hospital of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - Gudny Gudmundsdottir
- Blood Bank, Landspitali -The National University Hospital of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - Sveinn Kjartansson
- Department of Pediatrics, Landspitali -The National University Hospital of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - Thorbjorn Jonsson
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland.,Blood Bank, Landspitali -The National University Hospital of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - Sveinn Gudmundsson
- Blood Bank, Landspitali -The National University Hospital of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - Anna M Halldorsdottir
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland.,Blood Bank, Landspitali -The National University Hospital of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
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20
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Clausen FB. Cell‐free fetal
DNA
and fetal blood group genotyping: non‐invasive prenatal testing. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/voxs.12521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Frederik Banch Clausen
- Laboratory of Blood Genetics Department of Clinical Immunology Copenhagen University Hospital Copenhagen Denmark
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21
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van der Bles AM, van der Linden S, Freeman ALJ, Mitchell J, Galvao AB, Zaval L, Spiegelhalter DJ. Communicating uncertainty about facts, numbers and science. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2019; 6:181870. [PMID: 31218028 PMCID: PMC6549952 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.181870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 129] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2018] [Accepted: 04/11/2019] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Uncertainty is an inherent part of knowledge, and yet in an era of contested expertise, many shy away from openly communicating their uncertainty about what they know, fearful of their audience's reaction. But what effect does communication of such epistemic uncertainty have? Empirical research is widely scattered across many disciplines. This interdisciplinary review structures and summarizes current practice and research across domains, combining a statistical and psychological perspective. This informs a framework for uncertainty communication in which we identify three objects of uncertainty-facts, numbers and science-and two levels of uncertainty: direct and indirect. An examination of current practices provides a scale of nine expressions of direct uncertainty. We discuss attempts to codify indirect uncertainty in terms of quality of the underlying evidence. We review the limited literature about the effects of communicating epistemic uncertainty on cognition, affect, trust and decision-making. While there is some evidence that communicating epistemic uncertainty does not necessarily affect audiences negatively, impact can vary between individuals and communication formats. Case studies in economic statistics and climate change illustrate our framework in action. We conclude with advice to guide both communicators and future researchers in this important but so far rather neglected field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Marthe van der Bles
- Winton Centre for Risk and Evidence Communication, Department of Pure Mathematics and Mathematical Statistics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Cambridge Social Decision-Making Lab, Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Sander van der Linden
- Winton Centre for Risk and Evidence Communication, Department of Pure Mathematics and Mathematical Statistics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Cambridge Social Decision-Making Lab, Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Alexandra L. J. Freeman
- Winton Centre for Risk and Evidence Communication, Department of Pure Mathematics and Mathematical Statistics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - James Mitchell
- Warwick Business School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | - Ana B. Galvao
- Warwick Business School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | - Lisa Zaval
- Department of Psychology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - David J. Spiegelhalter
- Winton Centre for Risk and Evidence Communication, Department of Pure Mathematics and Mathematical Statistics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
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22
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Saramago P, Yang H, Llewellyn A, Walker R, Harden M, Palmer S, Griffin S, Simmonds M. High-throughput non-invasive prenatal testing for fetal rhesus D status in RhD-negative women not known to be sensitised to the RhD antigen: a systematic review and economic evaluation. Health Technol Assess 2019; 22:1-172. [PMID: 29580376 DOI: 10.3310/hta22130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND High-throughput non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) for fetal rhesus (D antigen) (RhD) status could avoid unnecessary treatment with routine anti-D immunoglobulin for RhD-negative women carrying a RhD-negative fetus, although this may lead to an increased risk of RhD sensitisations. OBJECTIVES To systematically review the evidence on the diagnostic accuracy, clinical effectiveness and implementation of high-throughput NIPT and to develop a cost-effectiveness model. METHODS We searched MEDLINE and other databases, from inception to February 2016, for studies of high-throughput NIPT free-cell fetal deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) tests of maternal plasma to determine fetal RhD status in RhD-negative pregnant women who were not known to be sensitised to the RhD antigen. Study quality was assessed with the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies 2 (QUADAS-2) and A Cochrane Risk of Bias Assessment Tool: for Non-Randomised Studies of Interventions (ACROBAT-NRSI). Summary estimates of false-positive rates (FPRs) and false-negative rates (FNRs) were calculated using bivariate models. Clinical effectiveness evidence was used to conduct a simulation study. We developed a de novo probabilistic decision tree-based cohort model that considered four alternative ways in which the results of NIPT could guide the use of anti-D immunoglobulin antenatally and post partum. Sensitivity analyses (SAs) were conducted to address key uncertainties and model assumptions. RESULTS Eight studies were included in the diagnostic accuracy review, seven studies were included in the clinical effectiveness review and 12 studies were included in the review of implementation. Meta-analyses included women mostly at or post 11 weeks' gestation. The pooled FNR (women at risk of sensitisation) was 0.34% [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.15% to 0.76%] and the pooled FPR (women needlessly receiving anti-D) was 3.86% (95% CI 2.54% to 5.82%). SAs did not materially alter the overall results. Data on clinical outcomes, including sensitisation rates, were limited. Our simulation suggests that NIPT could substantially reduce unnecessary use of antenatal anti-D with only a small increase in the risk of sensitisation. All large implementation studies suggested that large-scale implementation of high-throughput NIPT was feasible. Seven cost-effectiveness studies were included in the review, which found that the potential for the use of NIPT to produce cost savings was dependent on the cost of the test. Our de novo model suggested that high-throughput NIPT is likely to be cost saving compared with the current practice of providing routine antenatal anti-D prophylaxis to all women who are RhD negative. The extent of the cost saving appeared to be sufficient to outweigh the small increase in sensitisations. However, the magnitude of the cost saving is highly sensitive to the cost of NIPT itself. LIMITATIONS There was very limited evidence relating to the clinical effectiveness of high-throughput NIPT, with no evidence on potential adverse effects. The generalisability of the findings to non-white women and multiple pregnancies is unclear. CONCLUSIONS High-throughput NIPT is sufficiently accurate to detect fetal RhD status in RhD-negative women from 11 weeks' gestation and would considerably reduce unnecessary treatment with routine anti-D immunoglobulin, potentially resulting in cost savings of between £485,000 and £671,000 per 100,000 pregnancies if the cost of implementing NIPT is in line with that reflected in this evaluation. FUTURE WORK Further research on the diagnostic accuracy of NIPT in non-white women is needed. STUDY REGISTRATION This study is registered as PROSPERO CRD42015029497. FUNDING The National Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment programme.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Saramago
- Centre for Health Economics, University of York, York, UK
| | - Huiqin Yang
- Peninsula Technology Assessment Group (PenTAG), University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter, UK
| | - Alexis Llewellyn
- Centre for Reviews and Dissemination, University of York, York, UK
| | - Ruth Walker
- Centre for Reviews and Dissemination, University of York, York, UK
| | - Melissa Harden
- Centre for Reviews and Dissemination, University of York, York, UK
| | - Stephen Palmer
- Centre for Health Economics, University of York, York, UK
| | - Susan Griffin
- Centre for Health Economics, University of York, York, UK
| | - Mark Simmonds
- Centre for Reviews and Dissemination, University of York, York, UK
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23
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Clausen FB, Barrett AN. Noninvasive fetal RHD genotyping to guide targeted anti-D prophylaxis-an external quality assessment workshop. Vox Sang 2019; 114:386-393. [PMID: 30834546 DOI: 10.1111/vox.12768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2018] [Revised: 01/30/2019] [Accepted: 02/04/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Fetal RHD genotyping of cell-free fetal DNA from RhD-negative pregnant women can be used to guide targeted antenatal and postnatal anti-D prophylaxis for the prevention of RhD immunization. To assure the quality of clinical testing, we conducted an external quality assessment workshop with the participation of 28 laboratories. MATERIALS AND METHODS Aliquots of pooled maternal plasma were sent to each laboratory. One sample was positive, and the second sample was negative for fetal RHD, verified by pre-workshop testing using quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) analysis of RHD exons 4, 5, 7 and 10. Plasma samples were shipped at room temperature. A reporting scheme was supplied for data collection, including questions regarding the methodological setup, results and clinical recommendations. Different methodological approaches were used, all employing qPCR with a total of eight different combinations of RHD exon targets. The samples were tested blindly. RESULTS Fetal RHD genotyping was performed with no false-negative and no false-positive results. One inconclusive result was reported for the RHD-positive sample, and four inconclusive results were reported for the RHD-negative sample. All clinical conclusions were satisfactory. CONCLUSION This external quality assessment workshop demonstrates that despite the different approaches taken to perform the clinical assays, fetal RHD genotyping is a reliable laboratory assay to guide targeted use of Rh prophylaxis in a clinical setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frederik Banch Clausen
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore City, Singapore
| | - Angela Natalie Barrett
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore City, Singapore
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24
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Affiliation(s)
- Giancarlo Manzi
- Department of Economics, Management and Quantitative Methods, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Martin Forster
- Department of Economics and Related Studies, University of York, New York, UK
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25
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Wikman A, Jalkesten E, Ajne G, Höglund P, Mörtberg A, Tiblad E. Anti-D quantification in relation to anti-D titre, middle cerebral artery Doppler measurement and clinical outcome in RhD-immunized pregnancies. Vox Sang 2018; 113:779-786. [PMID: 30311187 DOI: 10.1111/vox.12716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2018] [Revised: 09/04/2018] [Accepted: 09/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The optimal strategy to monitor RhD-immunized pregnancies is not evident. Whether a quantitative analysis of anti-D antibodies adds valuable information to anti-D titre is unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relevance of anti-D quantification in routine monitoring of RhD-immunized pregnancies. MATERIALS AND METHODS In a retrospective study, 64 consecutive pregnancies in 61 immunized women with anti-D titre ≥128 at any time during pregnancy were included. According to routine, at titre ≥128, anti-D quantification was performed by flow cytometry and the peak systolic velocity in the middle cerebral artery was measured by ultrasound. Decisions for treatment with intrauterine blood transfusion were based on increased peak systolic velocity in the middle cerebral artery. RESULTS Increasing anti-D concentrations correlated well to increasing anti-D titres, but at each titre value, there was a large interindividual variation, in the determined anti-D concentration. Intrauterine transfusions were initiated in 35 pregnancies according to algorithms based on ultrasound measurements, at anti-D concentrations of 2·4-619 IU/ml and titre 128-16 000. Sixty pregnancies resulted in a live-born child, three in miscarriage and one in termination of pregnancy. During the perinatal care in the neonatal intensive care unit, thirty-one of the neonates were treated with blood exchange transfusions and/or red cell transfusions and 47 were treated with phototherapy. CONCLUSION Anti-D quantification does not add further information compared to anti-D titre, in defining a critical level to start monitoring RhD-immunized pregnancies with Doppler ultrasound.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agneta Wikman
- Department of Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital and Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Elisabeth Jalkesten
- Department of Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital and Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Gunilla Ajne
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center for Fetal Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital and Clintec, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Petter Höglund
- Department of Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital and Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anette Mörtberg
- Department of Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital and Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Eleonor Tiblad
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center for Fetal Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital and Clintec, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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Jones HE, Ades AE, Sutton AJ, Welton NJ. Use of a random effects meta-analysis in the design and analysis of a new clinical trial. Stat Med 2018; 37:4665-4679. [PMID: 30187505 PMCID: PMC6484819 DOI: 10.1002/sim.7948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2016] [Revised: 06/29/2018] [Accepted: 07/28/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
In designing a randomized controlled trial, it has been argued that trialists should consider existing evidence about the likely intervention effect. One approach is to form a prior distribution for the intervention effect based on a meta‐analysis of previous studies and then power the trial on its ability to affect the posterior distribution in a Bayesian analysis. Alternatively, methods have been proposed to calculate the power of the trial to influence the “pooled” estimate in an updated meta‐analysis. These two approaches can give very different results if the existing evidence is heterogeneous, summarised using a random effects meta‐analysis. We argue that the random effects mean will rarely represent the trialist's target parameter, and so, it will rarely be appropriate to power a trial based on its impact upon the random effects mean. Furthermore, the random effects mean will not generally provide an appropriate prior distribution. More appropriate alternatives include the predictive distribution and shrinkage estimate for the most similar study. Consideration of the impact of the trial on the entire random effects distribution might sometimes be appropriate. We describe how beliefs about likely sources of heterogeneity have implications for how the previous evidence should be used and can have a profound impact on the expected power of the new trial. We conclude that the likely causes of heterogeneity among existing studies need careful consideration. In the absence of explanations for heterogeneity, we suggest using the predictive distribution from the meta‐analysis as the basis for a prior distribution for the intervention effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hayley E Jones
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - A E Ades
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Alex J Sutton
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | - Nicky J Welton
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
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Clausen FB. Lessons learned from the implementation of non-invasive fetalRHDscreening. Expert Rev Mol Diagn 2018; 18:423-431. [DOI: 10.1080/14737159.2018.1461562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Frederik Banch Clausen
- Laboratory of Blood Genetics, Department of Clinical Immunology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Haimila K, Sulin K, Kuosmanen M, Sareneva I, Korhonen A, Natunen S, Tuimala J, Sainio S. Targeted antenatal anti-D prophylaxis program for RhD-negative pregnant women - outcome of the first two years of a national program in Finland. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 2017; 96:1228-1233. [DOI: 10.1111/aogs.13191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2017] [Accepted: 07/08/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Kati Sulin
- Finnish Red Cross Blood Service; Helsinki Finland
| | | | | | - Anu Korhonen
- Finnish Red Cross Blood Service; Helsinki Finland
| | - Suvi Natunen
- Finnish Red Cross Blood Service; Helsinki Finland
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Non-invasive foetal RhD genotyping to guide anti-D prophylaxis: an external quality assurance workshop. BLOOD TRANSFUSION = TRASFUSIONE DEL SANGUE 2017; 16:359-362. [PMID: 28488977 DOI: 10.2450/2017.0329-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2016] [Accepted: 03/02/2017] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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McCauley CJ, Morris K, Maguire K. A review of maternal alloimmunisation to Rh D in Northern Ireland. Transfus Med 2017; 27:132-135. [DOI: 10.1111/tme.12387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2016] [Revised: 12/18/2016] [Accepted: 12/26/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- C. J. McCauley
- Department of Haematology; Belfast City Hospital; Belfast UK
| | - K. Morris
- Transfusion Medicine; Northern Ireland Blood Transfusion Service; Belfast UK
| | - K. Maguire
- Transfusion Medicine; Northern Ireland Blood Transfusion Service; Belfast UK
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Neovius M, Tiblad E, Westgren M, Kublickas M, Neovius K, Wikman A. Cost-effectiveness of first trimester non-invasive fetalRHDscreening for targeted antenatal anti-D prophylaxis in RhD-negative pregnant women: a model-based analysis. BJOG 2015; 123:1337-46. [DOI: 10.1111/1471-0528.13801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/12/2015] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- M Neovius
- Department of Medicine; Clinical Epidemiology Unit; Karolinska Institutet; Stockholm Sweden
| | - E Tiblad
- Obstetrics & Gynaecology Unit; CLINTEC; Karolinska Institutet; Stockholm Sweden
| | - M Westgren
- Obstetrics & Gynaecology Unit; CLINTEC; Karolinska Institutet; Stockholm Sweden
| | - M Kublickas
- Obstetrics & Gynaecology Unit; CLINTEC; Karolinska Institutet; Stockholm Sweden
| | | | - A Wikman
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Transfusion Medicine; Karolinska Institutet; Stockholm Sweden
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Aitken SL, Tichy EM. Rh(O)D immune globulin products for prevention of alloimmunization during pregnancy. Am J Health Syst Pharm 2015; 72:267-76. [PMID: 25631833 DOI: 10.2146/ajhp140288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The pharmacologic properties of Rhesus (Rh) immune globulin (RhIG) and clinical data on its effectiveness in preventing Rh-antigen alloimmunization in pregnant women are reviewed. SUMMARY RhIG is a human plasma derivative that targets red blood cells (RBCs) positive for Rh(O) antigen (also called D antigen). In the United States and other countries, the widespread use of RhIG has markedly reduced the occurrence of hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN), a devastating condition caused by D-antigen sensitization of a pregnant woman via exposure to fetal RBCs (usually during detachment of the placenta in labor) that results in a maternal immune response leading to severe hemolysis in the fetus. Routine administration of RhIG at 26-30 weeks' gestation and again within 72 hours of delivery has been shown to be highly effective in preventing maternal Rh alloimmunization, with very low rates of D-antigen sensitization (in the range of 0-2.2%) reported in multiple studies of at-risk women. The four RhIG products currently available in the United States have common clinical indications but differ in certain attributes. Pharmacists can play an important role in guiding other clinicians on the rationale for the use of RhIG, important differences between products, and appropriate timing of RhIG therapy. CONCLUSION Routine administration of RhIG to women at risk for Rh alloimmunization is clinically effective and has made HDFN a rare clinical event. The available RhIG products are not the same and should be carefully reviewed to ensure that they are administered safely.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel L Aitken
- Samuel L. Aitken, Pharm.D., BCPS, is Clinical Pharmacy Specialist in Infectious Diseases, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston. Eric M. Tichy, Pharm.D., FCCP, BCPS, is Senior Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, Solid Organ Transplantation, and Director, Postgraduate Year 2 Residency, Department of Pharmacy Services, Yale-New Haven Hospital, New Haven, CT
| | - Eric M Tichy
- Samuel L. Aitken, Pharm.D., BCPS, is Clinical Pharmacy Specialist in Infectious Diseases, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston. Eric M. Tichy, Pharm.D., FCCP, BCPS, is Senior Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, Solid Organ Transplantation, and Director, Postgraduate Year 2 Residency, Department of Pharmacy Services, Yale-New Haven Hospital, New Haven, CT.
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McBain RD, Crowther CA, Middleton P. Anti-D administration in pregnancy for preventing Rhesus alloimmunisation. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2015; 2015:CD000020. [PMID: 26334436 PMCID: PMC7061251 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd000020.pub3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND During pregnancy, a Rhesus negative (Rh-negative) woman may develop antibodies when her fetus is Rhesus positive (Rh-positive). These antibodies may harm Rh-positive babies. OBJECTIVES To assess the effects of antenatal anti-D immunoglobulin on the incidence of Rhesus D alloimmunisation when given to Rh-negative women without anti-D antibodies. SEARCH METHODS We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group's Trials Register (31 May 2015) and reference lists of retrieved studies. SELECTION CRITERIA Randomised trials in Rh-negative women without anti-D antibodies given anti-D after 28 weeks of pregnancy, compared with no treatment, placebo or a different regimen of anti-D. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Two review authors independently assessed trials for inclusion and risk of bias, extracted data and checked them for accuracy. MAIN RESULTS We included two trials involving over 4500 women, comparing anti-D prophylaxis with no anti-D during pregnancy in this review. Overall, the trials were judged to be at moderate to high risk of bias. The quality of the evidence for pre-specified outcomes was also assessed using the GRADE (Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development and Evaluation) approach.In regards to primary review outcomes, there did not appear to be a clear difference in the risks of immunisation when women who received anti-D at 28 and 34 weeks' gestation were compared with women who were not given antenatal anti-D: risk ratio (RR) for incidence of Rhesus D alloimmunisation during pregnancy was 0.42 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.15 to 1.17, two trials, 3902 women; GRADE: low quality evidence); at birth of a Rh-positive infant the RR was 0.42 (95% CI 0.15 to 1.17, two trials, 2297 women); and within 12 months after birth of a Rh-positive infant the average RR was 0.39 (95% CI 0.10 to 1.62, two trials, 2048 women; Tau²: 0.47; I²: 39%; GRADE: low quality evidence). Neither of the trials reported on incidence of Rhesus D alloimmunisation in subsequent pregnancies.Considering secondary outcomes, in one trial, women receiving anti-D during pregnancy were shown to be less likely to register a positive Kleihauer test (which detects fetal cells in maternal blood) in pregnancy (at 32 to 25 weeks) (RR 0.60, 95% CI 0.41 to 0.88; 1884 women; GRADE: low quality evidence) and at the birth of a Rh-positive infant (RR 0.60, 95% CI 0.46 to 0.79; 1189 women; GRADE: low quality evidence). No clear differences were seen for neonatal jaundice (RR 0.26, 95% CI 0.03 to 2.30; 1882 infants; GRADE: very low quality evidence). Neither of the trials reported on adverse effects associated with anti-D treatment. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS Existing studies do not provide conclusive evidence that the use of anti-D during pregnancy benefits either mother or baby in terms of incidence of Rhesus D alloimmunisation during the pregnancy or postpartum, or the incidence of neonatal morbidity (jaundice) (low to very low quality evidence). However women receiving anti-D may be less likely to register a positive Kleihauer test in pregnancy and at the birth of a Rh-positive infant (low quality evidence). Fewer women who receive anti-D during pregnancy may have Rhesus D antibodies in a subsequent pregnancy, with benefits for the baby, however this needs to be tested in studies of robust design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosemary D McBain
- The University of AdelaideARCH: Australian Research Centre for Health of Women and Babies, Robinson Research Institute, Discipline of Obstetrics and GynaecologyWomen's and Children's Hospital72 King William RoadAdelaideAustralia5000
| | - Caroline A Crowther
- The University of AdelaideARCH: Australian Research Centre for Health of Women and Babies, Robinson Research Institute, Discipline of Obstetrics and GynaecologyWomen's and Children's Hospital72 King William RoadAdelaideAustralia5000
- The University of AucklandLiggins InstitutePrivate Bag 9201985 Park RoadAucklandNew Zealand
| | - Philippa Middleton
- The University of AdelaideARCH: Australian Research Centre for Health of Women and Babies, Robinson Research Institute, Discipline of Obstetrics and GynaecologyWomen's and Children's Hospital72 King William RoadAdelaideAustralia5000
- The University of AdelaideWomen's and Children's Research InstituteWomen's and Children's Hospital72 King William RoadAdelaideSouth AustraliaAustralia5006
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de Haas M, Thurik FF, Koelewijn JM, van der Schoot CE. Haemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn. Vox Sang 2015; 109:99-113. [PMID: 25899660 DOI: 10.1111/vox.12265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 157] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2013] [Revised: 01/11/2015] [Accepted: 02/02/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Haemolytic Disease of the Fetus and Newborn (HDFN) is caused by maternal alloimmunization against red blood cell antigens. In severe cases, HDFN may lead to fetal anaemia with a risk for fetal death and to severe forms of neonatal hyperbilirubinaemia with a risk for kernicterus. Most severe cases are caused by anti-D, despite the introduction of antental and postnatal anti-D immunoglobulin prophylaxis. In general, red blood cell antibody screening programmes are aimed to detect maternal alloimmunization early in pregnancy to facilitate the identification of high-risk cases to timely start antenatal and postnatal treatment. In this review, an overview of the clinical relevance of red cell alloantibodies in relation to occurrence of HDFN and recent views on prevention, screening and treatment options of HDFN are provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- M de Haas
- Department of Immunohaematology Diagnostics, Sanquin Diagnostic Services, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.,Department of Experimental Immunohaematology, Sanquin Research Amsterdam and Landsteiner laboratory, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - F F Thurik
- Department of Experimental Immunohaematology, Sanquin Research Amsterdam and Landsteiner laboratory, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - J M Koelewijn
- Department of Experimental Immunohaematology, Sanquin Research Amsterdam and Landsteiner laboratory, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.,Department of General Practice, University Medical Centre, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - C E van der Schoot
- Department of Experimental Immunohaematology, Sanquin Research Amsterdam and Landsteiner laboratory, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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Verde PE, Ohmann C. Combining randomized and non-randomized evidence in clinical research: a review of methods and applications. Res Synth Methods 2014; 6:45-62. [DOI: 10.1002/jrsm.1122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2013] [Revised: 04/11/2014] [Accepted: 04/21/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Pablo E. Verde
- Coordination Center for Clinical Trials; University of Duesseldorf; Germany
| | - Christian Ohmann
- Coordination Center for Clinical Trials; University of Duesseldorf; Germany
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Clausen FB. Integration of noninvasive prenatal prediction of fetal blood group into clinical prenatal care. Prenat Diagn 2014; 34:409-15. [PMID: 24431264 DOI: 10.1002/pd.4326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2013] [Revised: 01/08/2014] [Accepted: 01/12/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Incompatibility of red blood cell blood group antigens between a pregnant woman and her fetus can cause maternal immunization and, consequently, hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn. Noninvasive prenatal testing of cell-free fetal DNA can be used to assess the risk of hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn to fetuses of immunized women. Prediction of the fetal RhD type has been very successful and is now integrated into clinical practice to assist in the management of the pregnancies of RhD immunized women. In addition, noninvasive prediction of the fetal RhD type can be applied to guide targeted prenatal prophylaxis, thus avoiding unnecessary exposure to anti-D in pregnant women. The analytical aspect of noninvasive fetal RHD typing is very robust and accurate, and its routine utilization has demonstrated high sensitivities for fetal RHD detection. A high compliance with administering anti-D is essential for obtaining a clinical effect. Noninvasive fetal typing of RHC/c, RHE/e, and KEL may become more widely used in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frederik Banch Clausen
- Laboratory of Blood Genetics, Department of Clinical Immunology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Targeted routine antenatal anti-D prophylaxis in the prevention of RhD immunisation--outcome of a new antenatal screening and prevention program. PLoS One 2013; 8:e70984. [PMID: 23940682 PMCID: PMC3735499 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0070984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2013] [Accepted: 06/25/2013] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective To estimate the incidence of RhD immunisation after implementation of first trimester non-invasive fetal RHD screening to select only RhD negative women carrying RHD positive fetuses for routine antenatal anti-D prophylaxis (RAADP). Materials and Methods We present a population-based prospective observational cohort study with historic controls including all maternity care centres and delivery hospitals in the Stockholm region, Sweden. All RhD negative pregnant women were screened for fetal RHD genotype in the first trimester of pregnancy. Anti-D immunoglobulin (250–300 µg) was administered intramuscularly in gestational week 28–30 to participants with RHD positive fetuses. Main outcome measure was the incidence of RhD immunisation developing during or after pregnancy. Results During the study period 9380 RhD negative women gave birth in Stockholm. Non-invasive fetal RHD genotyping using cell-free fetal DNA in maternal plasma was performed in 8374 pregnancies of which 5104 (61%) were RHD positive and 3270 (39%) RHD negative. In 4590 pregnancies with an RHD positive test the women received antenatal anti-D prophylaxis. The incidence of RhD immunisation in the study cohort was 0.26 percent (24/9380) (95% CI 0.15–0.36%) compared to 0.46 percent (86/18546) (95% CI 0.37 to 0.56%) in the reference cohort. The risk ratio (RR) for sensitisation was 0.55 (95% CI 0.35 to 0.87) and the risk reduction was statistically significant (p = 0.009). The absolute risk difference was 0.20 percent, corresponding to a number needed to treat (NNT) of 500. Conclusions Using first trimester non-invasive antenatal screening for fetal RHD to target routine antenatal anti-D prophylaxis selectively to RhD negative women with RHD positive fetuses significantly reduces the incidence of new RhD immunisation. The risk reduction is comparable to that reported in studies evaluating the outcome of non selective RAADP to all RhD negative women. The cost-effectiveness of this targeted approach remains to be studied.
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Tiblad E, Westgren M, Pasupathy D, Karlsson A, Wikman AT. Consequences of being Rhesus D immunized during pregnancy and how to optimize new prevention strategies. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 2013; 92:1079-85. [DOI: 10.1111/aogs.12193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2012] [Accepted: 06/03/2013] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Eleonor Tiblad
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology; Karolinska University Hospital; Stockholm Sweden
- Department of Clinical Science Intervention and Technology; Karolinska Institutet; Stockholm Sweden
| | - Magnus Westgren
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology; Karolinska University Hospital; Stockholm Sweden
- Department of Clinical Science Intervention and Technology; Karolinska Institutet; Stockholm Sweden
| | - Dharmintra Pasupathy
- Division of Women's Health; Women's Health Academic Centre; King's Health Partners; King's College London; Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust; London UK
| | - Anita Karlsson
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Transfusion Medicine; Karolinska University Hospital; Stockholm Sweden
| | - Agneta T. Wikman
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Transfusion Medicine; Karolinska University Hospital; Stockholm Sweden
- Department of Laboratory Medicine; Karolinska Institutet; Stockholm Sweden
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Survey on the prevention and incidence of haemolytic disease of the newborn in Italy. BLOOD TRANSFUSION = TRASFUSIONE DEL SANGUE 2013; 11:518-27. [PMID: 23867179 DOI: 10.2450/2013.0179-12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2012] [Accepted: 11/27/2012] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In 2010, the Italian Society of Immunohaematology and Transfusion Medicine (SIMTI) carried out a survey of the incidence of haemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN) and the prevention of HDN caused by anti-Rh(D) in Italian Transfusion Structures (TS). MATERIALS AND METHODS A questionnaire divided into the following five sections was administered: (i) types of services provided and maintenance of legally required registers, (ii) immunoprophylaxis (IP), (iii) red cell typing and searches for irregular antibodies, (iv) evaluation of foetal-maternal haemorrhage (FMH), and (v) incidence of HDN in 2010. Of the 280 TS sent the questionnaire, 176 (63%) replied. RESULTS A HDN register was available in 55.5% of the TS (n =91). Immunoprophylaxis with a dose of anti-D IgG was given to all Rh(D) negative and Rh(D) variant puerpera with Rh(D) positive newborns: in more than 93% of cases the dose was between 1,500 IU (300 μg) and 1,250 IU (250 μg). Antenatal IP between the 25(th) and 28(th) week was proposed by 42 TS (26%). Seventy percent of the TS (n =115) did not make any evaluation of FMH. The number of births surveyed in 2010 was 203,384, the number of Rh(D) negative pregnancies was 13,569, while anti-D antibodies were present in 245 pregnancies. There were 111 cases of HDN due to anti Rh(D) incompatibility and in 40 of these, intrauterine transfusion (n =8) or exchange transfusion (n =32) was necessary. In 94 cases HDN was due to other irregular antibodies: in 4 of these cases intrauterine transfusion was needed and in 11 other recourse was made of exchange transfusion. Finally, there were 1,456 newborns with ABO HDN of whom 13 underwent exchange transfusion. DISCUSSION The data collected give a picture of the incidence of HDN in Italy and of the methods of managing IP and could form the basis for an update of the SIMTI recommendations on the management and prevention of this disease.
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Crowther CA, Middleton P, McBain RD. Anti-D administration in pregnancy for preventing Rhesus alloimmunisation. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2013:CD000020. [PMID: 23450526 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd000020.pub2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND During pregnancy, a Rhesus negative (Rh-negative) woman may develop antibodies when her fetus is Rhesus positive (Rh-positive). These antibodies may harm Rh-positive babies. OBJECTIVES To assess the effects of antenatal anti-D immunoglobulin on the incidence of Rhesus D alloimmunisation when given to Rh-negative women without anti-D antibodies. SEARCH METHODS We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group's Trials Register (30 September 2012). SELECTION CRITERIA Randomised trials in Rh-negative women without anti-D antibodies given anti-D after 28 weeks of pregnancy, compared with no treatment, placebo or a different regimen of anti-D. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Two review authors independently assessed trial eligibility and risk of bias and extracted the data. MAIN RESULTS Two trials with moderate to high risk of bias, involving over 4500 women, compared anti-D prophylaxis with no anti-D during pregnancy. When women received anti-D at 28 and 34 weeks' gestation, risks of immunisation were not significantly different than for women not given antenatal anti-D: risk ratio (RR) of immunisation during pregnancy was 0.42 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.15 to 1.17); after the birth of a Rh-positive infant the RR was 0.42 (95% CI 0.15 to 1.17); and within 12 months after birth of a Rh-positive infant the RR was 0.39 (95% CI 0.10 to 1.62).However, women receiving anti-D during pregnancy were significantly less likely to register a positive Kleihauer test (which detects fetal cells in maternal blood) in pregnancy (RR 0.60, 95% CI 0.41 to 0.88) and at the birth of a Rh-positive infant (RR 0.60, 95% CI 0.46 to 0.79). No data were available for the risk of Rhesus D alloimmunisation in a subsequent pregnancy. No significant differences were seen for neonatal jaundice, and no adverse effects were reported in either trial. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS The risk of Rhesus D alloimmunisation during or immediately after a first pregnancy is about 1%. Administration of 100 µg (500 IU) anti-D to women in their first pregnancy can reduce this risk to about 0.2% without, to date, any adverse effects. Although unlikely to confer benefit in the current pregnancy, fewer women may have Rhesus D antibodies in any subsequent pregnancy, but the effects of this needs to be tested in studies of robust design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline A Crowther
- ARCH: Australian Research Centre for Health of Women and Babies, Discipline of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University ofAdelaide, Adelaide, Australia.
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