Is RAADP providing the protection RhD negative women require?
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Is routine antenatal anti-D prophylaxis (RAADP) providing the protection Rhesus D negative women require?
IRAS ID
146064
Contact name
Barry Chesterson
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Warrington and Halton Hospitals
Research summary
Haemolytic Disease of the Foetus and New born (HDFN) is a serious condition that can lead to death or severe disability. HDFN is caused by foetal blood entering the maternal system and activating the mother’s immune system due to blood group incompatibility. One of the blood groups involved is RhD. To prevent HDFN all RhD negative mothers are offered Routine Antenatal Anti-D Prophylaxis (RAADP) at 28 weeks pregnancy with a 1500iu dose. RAADP clears foetal RhD positive red cells from the maternal system reducing the chance of the mother’s immune system being activated.
However it has been noted that when transfusion samples are analysed when the mother is in labour there is no evidence of the RAADP, therefore the aim of this project is to ascertain whether these women have been sensitised when the 1500iu RAADP should have protected them.
To locate the data required the laboratory computer system Molis will be used to firstly identify women who have received RAADP 1500iu at 28 weeks. Then using the patients history it can be determined whether there was any evidence of that RAADP present in the mothers blood at delivery, whether they had extra anti-D doses (except for those at delivery) and whether they had an RhD positive child. Then if the woman has had antibody screens completed following delivery such as during another pregnancy these results can be used to see if the woman in question has produced any immune anti-D. The lab has issued 3274 units of 1500iu RADDP over six years, these will all be investigated as part of this project.REC name
West Midlands - South Birmingham Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/WM/1031
Date of REC Opinion
18 Jun 2014
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion