Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Rh Blood Group

Rh Blood Group

The Rhesus (Rh) antigen is crucial in determining blood groups and ensuring compatibility during blood transfusions.

Development of Immunocompetence

Development of Immunocompetence

The initiation of cell-mediated immunity can be observed as early as the third month of fetal growth, with active antibody-mediated immunity following approximately one month later.
The initial cells that migrate from the fetal thymus settle within the skin and epithelial tissues lining the mouth, digestive tract, and in females, the uterus and vagina. These cells, including skin-based dendritic cells, serve as antigen-presenting cells, playing a key role in T cell activation.
Subsequent T...

Rheumatic Heart Disease III: Medical Management

Rheumatic Heart Disease III: Medical Management

Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) management can be divided into two main strategies: prevention and long-term management.Primary PreventionPrimary prevention focuses on timely diagnosis and management of group A streptococcal pharyngitis to prevent acute rheumatic fever. The most widely used antibiotic for treating this condition is intramuscular benzathine penicillin G.Acute Rheumatic Fever TreatmentThe primary treatment goal for a patient diagnosed with acute rheumatic fever is to suppress the...

Transcytosis of IgG

Transcytosis of IgG

Transcytosis is the process in which molecules are internalized by endocytosis, transported across the cell, and released through exocytosis from the opposite end of the cell. Molecules such as insulin, immunoglobulins, and certain nutrients are transferred through the recycling endosomes by recycling and transcytosis.
IgG molecules from a mother undergo transcytosis starting around 13 weeks of gestation. The amount of IgG transferred and entering the fetal blood circulation increases with...

Diphtheria

Diphtheria

Diphtheria is an acute, toxin-mediated infectious disease that primarily affects the upper respiratory tract. It is caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae, a Gram-positive, pleomorphic rod that lacks spore-forming capability and exhibits a characteristic club-shaped morphology under microscopic examination. While C. diphtheriae can asymptomatically colonize mucosal surfaces, clinical disease manifests only when the bacterial strain is lysogenized by a specific β-corynephage. This phage...

Rheumatic Heart Disease I: Introduction

Rheumatic Heart Disease I: Introduction

Rheumatic heart disease or RHD is a chronic condition that results from rheumatic fever, causing permanent damage to the heart valves.Etiology and Risk FactorsIt primarily arises from rheumatic fever, an inflammatory disease that can develop after untreated or inadequately treated group A streptococcal (GAS) pharyngitis. Streptococcus spreads through direct contact with oral or respiratory secretions. While the bacteria are the causative agents, factors like malnutrition, overcrowding, poor...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

The safety of COVID-19 convalescent plasma donation: A multi-institutional donor hemovigilance study.

Transfusion·2021

Same author

NT-proBNP levels in the identification and classification of pulmonary transfusion reactions.

Transfusion·2020

Same author

Use of a rapid electronic survey methodology to estimate blood donors' potential exposure to emerging infectious diseases: Application of a statistically representative sampling methodology to assess risk in US blood centers.

Transfusion·2020

Same author

Complement activating ABO anti-A IgM/IgG act synergistically to cause erythrophagocytosis: implications among minor ABO incompatible transfusions.

Journal of translational medicine·2020

Same author

It's time to phase out "serologic weak D phenotype" and resolve D types with RHD genotyping including weak D type 4.

Transfusion·2020

Same author

The evanescence and persistence of RBC alloantibodies in blood donors.

Transfusion·2020

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 16, 2026

Intranasal Immunization and Milk Collection in Studies of Maternal Immunization in New Zealand White Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

Intranasal Immunization and Milk Collection in Studies of Maternal Immunization in New Zealand White Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

Published on: July 31, 2021

Postpartum Rh immunoprophylaxis.

S Gerald Sandler¹, Jerome L Gottschall

¹Department of Pathology and Medicine, MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, Washington, DC 20007, USA. sandlerg@gunet.georgetown.edu

Obstetrics and Gynecology

|November 22, 2012

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Determining the correct postpartum dose of Rh immune globulin (anti-D) relies on estimating fetal red blood cells. Current methods like the Kleihauer-Betke assay are imprecise, leading to potential underdosing of RhD-negative mothers.

More Related Videos

A Novel Method for Involving Women of Color at High Risk for Preterm Birth in Research Priority Setting

A Novel Method for Involving Women of Color at High Risk for Preterm Birth in Research Priority Setting

Published on: January 12, 2018

Detection of Rabies IgG and IgM Antibodies Using the Rabies Indirect Fluorescent Antibody Test

Detection of Rabies IgG and IgM Antibodies Using the Rabies Indirect Fluorescent Antibody Test

Published on: January 19, 2024

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 16, 2026

Intranasal Immunization and Milk Collection in Studies of Maternal Immunization in New Zealand White Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

Intranasal Immunization and Milk Collection in Studies of Maternal Immunization in New Zealand White Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

Published on: July 31, 2021

A Novel Method for Involving Women of Color at High Risk for Preterm Birth in Research Priority Setting

A Novel Method for Involving Women of Color at High Risk for Preterm Birth in Research Priority Setting

Published on: January 12, 2018

Detection of Rabies IgG and IgM Antibodies Using the Rabies Indirect Fluorescent Antibody Test

Detection of Rabies IgG and IgM Antibodies Using the Rabies Indirect Fluorescent Antibody Test

Published on: January 19, 2024

Area of Science:

Immunology
Obstetrics
Hematology

Background:

Postpartum Rh immune globulin (anti-D) dosing is crucial for RhD-negative mothers with RhD-positive newborns to prevent hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn.
Current protocols rely on laboratory estimation of fetomaternal hemorrhage (FMH), a process with known limitations.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the current four-step procedure for determining postpartum Rh immune globulin dosage in the United States.
To highlight the limitations of existing methods for quantifying FMH and discuss potential alternatives.

Main Methods:

Description of the standard United States protocol involving a rosette screening test followed by a quantitative acid-elution (Kleihauer-Betke) assay if the screen is positive.
Discussion of flow cytometry as a more precise but less commonly used alternative for FMH quantification.

Main Results:

The rosette screen identifies excessive FMH (>30 mL fetal whole blood); if negative, one vial of Rh immune globulin is administered.
The Kleihauer-Betke assay, while quantitative, is subjective, imprecise, and poorly reproducible, necessitating a precautionary adjustment in dosing.
Flow cytometry offers superior precision but is often not cost-effective for routine use.

Conclusions:

The current method for postpartum Rh immune globulin dosing, relying on the Kleihauer-Betke assay, is imprecise and may lead to underdosing.
A precautionary adjustment in the standard protocol aims to prevent underdosing but highlights the need for more accurate FMH quantification methods.
While flow cytometry is more accurate, its cost and resource requirements limit its widespread adoption for postpartum Rh immune globulin dose determination.