Rhesus factor D is a blood group trait that is missing in 17% of people in Europe. In these women, there is a risk of Rhesus D sensitization (building up an immune response through the formation of antibodies) during the first pregnancy or at the birth of the child if the fetus is Rhesus D positive. Therefore, Rhesus D (Rh-D) negative women previously required anti-D immunoprophylaxis in the 28th to 30th week of pregnancy.
Non-invasive determination of the fetal rhesus D (RhD) factor from maternal blood
In Europe, in about 40% of Rhesus D negative women, the fetuses are also Rhesus D negative (RhD negative). This means that by taking a blood sample from the mother and non-invasive fetal testing for RhD, the so-called anti-D immunoglobulin prophylaxis can be omitted in about 40% of pregnancies. This can now be carried out, after appropriate information, in accordance with the Genetic Diagnostics Act, in every RhD-negative pregnant woman with a singleton pregnancy from the 12th week of pregnancy (see also ff. Article “Changes to the Maternity Guidelines” By Schulze S.)
