Authors' objectives:

To provide guidance on the use of routine antenatal anti-D prophylaxis for RhD-negative women.

Authors' recommendations: Guidance 1.1 It is recommended that routine antenatal anti-D prophylaxis (RAADP) is offered to all non-sensitised pregnant women who are RhD negative. 1.2 The clinician (obstetrician, midwife or general practitioner) responsible for the prenatal care of a non-sensitised RhD-negative woman should discuss with her RAADP and the options available so that the woman can make an informed choice about treatment. This discussion should include the circumstances where RAADP would be neither necessary nor cost effective. Such circumstances might include those where the woman: - has opted to be sterilised after the birth of the baby. - is in a stable relationship with the father of the child, and the father is known or found to be RhD-negative. - is certain that she will not have another child after her current pregnancy. The difference between RAADP (i.e. routine prophylaxis at 28 and 34 weeks) and prophylactic anti-D given because of likely sensitisation should be clearly explained to the woman. 1.3 A woman's use of RAADP at 28 and 34 weeks should not be affected by whether she has already had antenatal anti-D prophylaxis (AADP) for a potentially sensitising event early in pregnancy. A woman's use of postpartum anti-D prophylaxis should similarly not be affected by whether she has had RAADP or AADP as the result of a sensitising event. Beyond this, AADP for a potentially sensitising event and postpartum anti-D prophylaxis are not the remit of this guidance. These matters are covered by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists Green Top 1999 guideline: Use of Anti-D Immunoglobulin for Rh Prophylaxis. 1.4 It is recommended that high-quality information, validated and produced at the national level, is made available to RhD-negative women and the relevant healthcare professionals.

Authors' methods: Systematic review

Project Status: Completed

URL for project: http://www.nice.org.uk/cat.asp?c=31679

Year Published: 2002

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: England, United Kingdom

Organisation Name: National Institute for Clinical Excellence

Contact Address: MidCity Place, 71 High Holborn, London WC1V 6NA, UK. Tel: +44 020 7067 5800; Fax: +44 020 7067 5801

Contact Name: nice@nice.nhs.uk

Contact Email: nice@nice.nhs.uk

Copyright: National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE)