1. [Studies on manifestations of Rh-related hemolytic disease of the newborn in the years 1974-1989 in the Erfurt district].
- Author
-
Töpke B, Menzel K, Uhlig R, and Pfister U
- Subjects
- Abortion, Induced adverse effects, Abortion, Spontaneous complications, Erythroblastosis, Fetal mortality, Erythroblastosis, Fetal prevention & control, Female, Germany, East epidemiology, Humans, Infant, Newborn, Pregnancy, Prenatal Care, Rh Isoimmunization etiology, Rh Isoimmunization prevention & control, Erythroblastosis, Fetal epidemiology
- Abstract
In the course of 13 years (1977-1989) 223 of 223,121 liveborn infants in the district of Erfurt suffered from haemolytic disease due to Rh-isoimmunization, 0.1 per cent died. An initial drop of morbidity from 1.6 to 0.6 of 1000 newborns was followed by stagnation and further increase during the last years. More than 50% of the affected babies were delivered by women who had to be protected from sensibilization by immune prophylaxis. The cause for the immunization were deliveries (75%), miscarriages and interruptions (23%). The most important reason for the insufficient decrease of the Rh-morbidity is the failure of immune prophylaxis in the case of ABO-incongruence between mother and child. Our results support the demands for a general immune prophylaxis without taking into consideration the main blood groups and the number and result of the pregnancy. The quantity of severe erythroblastosis (7 stillborn and 5 hydropic liveborn) demonstrates the necessity to improve the prenatal management of these babies.
- Published
- 1991