Anti-D
These antibodies are raised against the "Rhesus" Factor (RhD Factor) in blood. The product is given during pregnancy and/or directly after childbirth to women who are RhD-negative in order to prevent them being sensitised to the RhD Factor, which could cause severe problems in a subsequent pregnancy. About 15% of (Caucasian) women are RhD-negative and need treatment during pregnancy and/or at birth.
Anti-D - Patient Information Leaflet (PIL)
Product Features
BPL's Anti-D Immunoglobulin has a safety record with no occurrence of viral transmission since plasma screening began in the 1970's.
Despite this excellent record BPL has now included a specific virus inactivation step in the manufacturing process.
This step, SOLVENT/DETERGENT (S/D) treatment, ensures that high standards of safety are maintained and improved.
- VIRUS INACTIVATED
S/D treatment enhances product safety
- INTRAMUSCULAR ONLY
Simple to administer
- LIQUID ONLY
Ready to use - no need for reconstitution
- 4 DOSE SIZES
250iu, 500iu, 1500iu, 2500iu – providing flexibility and optimal dosing
- NHS MANUFACTURE
An inherent commitment to continuity of supply
- CONFORMANCE TO RCOG* DOSAGE GUIDELINES
Giving confidence in prescribing
* Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (UK)
Therapeutic Indications
Prevention of RhD Immunisation in RhD-negative Woman
- i. During pregnancy (at 28 and 34 weeks' gestation), irrespective of the ABO groups of mother and baby.
- ii. After delivery of a RhD-positive baby.
- iii. Soon after an abortion/threatened abortion, or diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy or hydatidiform mole.
- iv. Soon after anti-partum haemorrhage (APH), amniocentesis, chorionic biopsy or obstetric manipulative procedure e.g. abdominal trauma, or external version, which may cause transplacental haemorrhage (TPH).
- v. After transfusion of RhD incompatible blood or blood products.
Dosage Information
- a) Routine Ante-Natal Prophylaxis
500 iu given at both 28 and 34 weeks' gestation.
- b) Following a Potentially Sensitising Event During Pregnancy
Up to 20 weeks gestation: recommended dose is 250 iu per incident.
After 20 weeks gestation: recommended dose is 500 iu per incident.
Human Anti-D should be given to all non-sensitised RhD-negative women having an abortion requiring instrumentation or associated with heavy or repeated bleeding, or with abdominal pain before 12 weeks gestation and all those having any type of abortion after 12 weeks gestation (Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists guideline No.22). Where bleeding continues intermittently, the injection should be repeated at approximately 6-weekly intervals until delivery.
Human Anti-D should be administered at the time of the incident to be most effective.
- c) Post-Natal Dosage
The recommended dose is 500 iu.
The number of fetal red cells in the mother's circulation should be determined by a suitable method (e.g. Kleihauer test). If the results indicate a fetomaternal bleed in excess of 4 ml of fetal red cells, extra Anti-D must be administered (125 iu for each 1.0 ml of red cells).
Human Anti-D should be administered as soon after delivery as convenient, but in any case within 72 hours.
- d) Prevention of Immunisation in RhD-negative Patients Given Blood Components Containing RhD-positive Cells
Recommended doses: 125 iu per ml of transfused RhD-positive red cells;
250 iu per three adult doses of platelets (Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists guideline No.22).
How does Anti-D work?
Haemolytic Disease of the Newborn (HDN) is caused by a blood group incompatibility, and can affect RhD-positive babies born to RhD-negative mothers. During pregnancy, and in particular at the time of childbirth, small amounts of red blood cells from the RhD-positive fetus can enter the maternal circulation. When this happens, the mother produces antibodies against the baby's red blood cells to remove them from her circulation. This does not normally harm the first RhD-positive baby, but during subsequent RhD-incompatible pregnancies antibody production is accelerated and the excess antibodies cross the placenta into the baby's circulation and cause the destruction of the baby's circulating red cells.
Anti-D IgG can prevent the mother producing anti-D antibodies by coating any of the baby's RhD-positive red cells which cross the placenta into the mother's circulation. This enables their rapid removal before they have time to 'sensitise' the mother's immune system.
For further information, please contact your GP.
