[Obstetrical aspects in successes and failures of rhesus-prophylaxis]

Before the general introduction of Rhesus-prophylaxis the frequency of morbus haemolyticus neonatorum was about 0.6%. In spite of the simple collection of "Rhesus-negative" mothers and the administration of the Rhesus-prophylaxis there are still some cases of morbus haemolyticus neonatorum; in our department 2 cases (or 0.11%) last year. The possible causes of non-successful Rhesus-prophylaxis are: immunisation during a previous abortion; immunisation during a previous delivery or a non-adequate blood-transfusion; in a previous delivery there was a macrotransfusion and therefore the doses of Rhesus-prophylaxis too small; the administration of Rhesus-prophylaxis was too late (later than 72 hours post partum); inadequate standardisation or storage of the drug; immunisation during the present pregnancy.