Prenatal Diagnosis of Fetal RhD Status by Molecular Analysis of Maternal Plasma

The Rh blood-group system is involved in hemolytic disease of the newborn, transfusion reactions, and autoimmune hemolytic anemia. 1 Despite the widespread use of Rh immune globulin prophylaxis in RhD-negative pregnant women, Rh isoimmunization still occurs. 2 In cases in which the father is heterozygous for the RhD gene, and the mother is RhD-negative, there is a 50 percent chance that the child will be RhD-positive. Prenatal determination of RhD status in these cases is clinically useful because no further testing or therapeutic procedures will be necessary if the fetus is RhD-negative. If the fetus is RhD-positive, further studies will be necessary . . .