Hemolytic disease of the newborn due to anti-U

Authors

  • Marcia Cristina Zago Novaretti University of São Paulo; Faculty of Medicine; Hospital das Clínicas; Hematology Department
  • Eduardo Jens University of São Paulo; Faculty of Medicine; Hospital das Clínicas; Hematology Department
  • Thiago Pagliarini University of São Paulo; Faculty of Medicine; Hospital das Clínicas; Hematology Department
  • Silvia Leão Bonifácio University of São Paulo; Faculty of Medicine; Hospital das Clínicas; Hematology Department
  • Pedro Enrique Dorlhiac-Llacer University of São Paulo; Faculty of Medicine; Hospital das Clínicas; Hematology Department
  • Dalton de Alencar Fischer Chamone University of São Paulo; Faculty of Medicine; Hospital das Clínicas; Hematology Department

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/S0041-87812003000600006

Keywords:

Anti-U, Antibody titration, Hemolytic disease of the newborn, Alloantibodies, Direct antiglobulin test, Monocyte monolayer assay

Abstract

Anti-U is a rare red blood cell alloantibody that has been found exclusively in blacks. It can cause hemolytic disease of the newborn and hemolytic transfusion reactions. We describe the case of a female newborn presenting a strongly positive direct antiglobulin test due to an IgG antibody in cord blood. Anti-U was recovered from cord blood using acid eluate technique. Her mother presented positive screening of antibodies with anti-U identified at delivery. It was of IgG1 and IgG3 subclasses and showed a titer of 32. Monocyte monolayer assay showed moderate interaction of Fc receptors with maternal serum with a positive result (3.1%). The newborn was treated only with 48 hours of phototherapy for mild hemolytic disease. She recovered well and was discharged on the 4th day of life. We conclude that whenever an antibody against a high frequency erythrocyte antigen is identified in brown and black pregnant women, anti-U must be investigated.

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Published

2003-01-01

Issue

Section

Case Report

How to Cite

Hemolytic disease of the newborn due to anti-U . (2003). Revista Do Hospital Das Clínicas, 58(6), 320-323. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0041-87812003000600006