Rh immunoglobulin utlization after spontaneous and induced abortion

Abstract

To monitor the utilization of Rh immunoglobulin (RhIG), we reviewed the charts of 389 spontaneous and 1350 induced abortion patients treated in 1975 at a metropolitan hospital. The rate of ascertainment of Rh type was significantly higher for induced (99.6%) than for spontaneous abortion patients (95.1%) (P less than 0.001). Utilization of Rh immunoglobulin (RhIG) also was significantly higher for induced (98.9%) than for spontaneous abortion patients (80.6%) (P less than 0.001). Women at risk who did not receive RhIG after spontaneous abortion were mostly young, of low gravidity, and at gestational ages (mean 14.4 weeks) associated with substantial risks of Rh sensitization. Eradication of Rh hemolytic disease requires improvement in the system of identifying and treating patients who need prophylaxis.

PIP: The charts of 389 spontaneous and 1350 induced abortion patients treated at a metropolitan hospital in 1975 were reviewed to assess the extent to which Rh immunoglobulin (RhIG) was utilized. The rate of determination of Rh type was 99.6% for cases of induced abortion and 95.1% for spontaneous abortion (p less than .001). RhIG was utilized in 98.9% of the induced abortion cases and in 80.6% of the cases of spontaneous abortion (p less than .001). Those women who did not receive RhIG after spontaneous abortion were primarily young, of low parity, and at those stages of pregnancy associated with a substantial risk of Rh sensitization (mean 14.4 weeks). The results point out the need for a better system for identifying and treating patients at risk of Rh hemolytic disease.