Low dose rhesus immunoprophylaxis after early induced abortions

A dose of 50 microgram anti-D immunoglobulin was administered as rhesus immunoprophylaxis following induced abortion performed by suction curettage before the thirteenth week of pregnancy in 463 consecutive patients. A feto-maternal blood loss of less than 2 ml was detected in 44 women (12%). After 6 months, a follow-up of 381 patients (82%) established that none of these patients was rhesus immunized with in vitro demonstrable antibodies. It is concluded that the low dose of anti-D administered is to be recommended for rhesus immunoprophylaxis after first trimester abortion.