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Feto-maternal red cell alloimmunization is defined by the presence in a pregnant woman of alloantibodies directed against blood group antigens present on the red blood cells of the fetus and inherited from the father. It arises from the immune response to a first contact to these same antigens during a prior transfusion, transplant or pregnancy. The placental transfer and the fixation of the antibodies on the fetal red cells antigenic targets lead to a haemolysis in the fetus and the newborn. The resulting haemolytic disease can show different clinical forms, from a mild anaemia with neonatal hyperbilirubinemia to a major fetal damage with stillbirth caused by hydrops fetalis. The objective of management strategies of feto-maternal alloimmunization is to detect and monitor maternal alloimmunization and to appreciate the effects on the fetus or the newborn. Since a few years, some new non-invasive techniques of surveillance are used, for instance fetal RHD genotyping on maternal plasma and evaluation of fetal anaemia through velocimetry measurement of the blood flow in the middle cerebral artery. The need for a careful postnatal surveillance has to be emphasized due to the neonatal anaemia, which can be prolonged, and to the resurgence of cases of severe neonatal icteruses recently reported by the Académie de Médecine. The policy of prevention of anti-RH1 alloimmunization should also benefit from the evolution of biological techniques by allowing an improved targeting of concerned women., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

The medical biology laboratory accreditation according to the Iso 15189 standard, which main lines are mentioned in the article, is henceforth becoming a statutory obligation in France. All laboratories must apply, at least partly, to the COFRAC, by 31(st) October 2012. The EFS has largely anticipated the necessary steps to reach this objective and has developed an approach based on six basic processes. To date, 24 laboratories of various technical fields are accredited and several other submissions are pending. The Iso 15189 standard requirements match those already implemented at the EFS with the Certification. The trade standard operating procedures are almost included in the risk control management. Through the involvement of all the EFS members following precision action plans based on the sharing of successful experiences and the harmonization of trade practices, this compulsory objective will be reached and the deadline respected., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)