Antibodies are part of your immune system. They help protect you against anything your body sees as different. Most people do not have red blood cell antibodies against other blood groups.
What does it mean if antibodies are found?
If you test positive for red blood cell antibodies, it means your body has made red blood cell antibodies after being exposed to a different blood group.
This can happen:
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- During pregnancy, if your baby’s blood group is different from yours
- After a blood transfusion
This is called alloimmunization (also known as or sensitization).
A health-care provider will check:
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- Which antibodies you have
- Whether they could affect your baby
Will this cause problems?
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- Not all antibodies cause problems during pregnancy
- Many pregnancies with alloimmunization are healthy
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However, some antibodies can cross the placenta and enter your baby’s blood. If your baby has a blood group that your antibodies react to, the antibodies can break down your baby’s red blood cells.
What are the possible effects on the baby?
In some cases, these antibodies can cause a condition called hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (also known as HDFN).
HDFN can affect your baby during pregnancy or after birth.
Possible problems include:
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- Anemia - not enough red blood cells
- Jaundice - too much bilirubin that can make the skin and eyes look yellow
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How serious is it?
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- Symptoms can range from mild to severe
- Not all babies will have symptoms
- In rare cases, the baby may need a blood transfusion, before or after birth.
Most babies recover within a few weeks and have no lasting problems. Careful monitoring during pregnancy and after birth helps prevent most serious complications.
Next steps if certain red blood cell antibodies are found in your blood
If you are pregnant and a blood test shows that you have anti-D, anti-C, anti-c, anti-E and/or anti-K (Kell) antibodies, your health-care provider will recommend a blood test called Alloimmunized Fetal Blood Group Genotyping (Allo-FBGG). This test uses a blood sample from you to find out if your baby has the same marker (called an antigen) on their red blood cells.
The results will help your health-care provider understand if your pregnancy may need closer monitoring for signs of hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN).
Monitoring may include:
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- Additional blood tests
- Ultrasounds
- A referral to a Maternal–Fetal Medicine (MFM) specialist
If you have other types of red blood cell antibodies
If antibodies other than anti-D, anti-C, anti-c, anti-E, or anti-K are found, your health-care provider will explain the next steps to monitor your pregnancy and check for possible complications related to HDFN.
