Feto-Maternal Incompatibility in the ABO System at EHS Nouar Fadela

Author(s): Bouabida D, Zelmat S, Belalaoui I

Introduction: Fetal-maternal blood incompatibility (IFM) is one of the major causes of neonatal jaundice that can progress to kernicterus.

Objective: To determine the frequency and the titre of anti-A and anti-B hemolysins in women in the immediate postpartum period as well as the associated risk factors.

Patients and methods: The study is cross-sectional conducted in mothers and their newborns from January 1 to October 31, 2019. ABO blood groups were determined in all participants. In mothers, research and titration of hemolysins was done. Pearson's chi-squares were used for statistical tests. A p value <0.05 was a statistically significant difference.

Results: We recorded 120 cases of fetal-maternal ABO incompatibility. Anti-A, anti-B and anti-AB hemolysins were found in 9.4%, 17.9% and 66.7% of cases, respectively. the highest titers were those of anti-B hemolysins (43%). Risk factors included: multiparity, advanced age and ABO fetal-maternal incompatibility.

Conclusion: It is necessary to introduce systematic research for hemolysins among immunohematological monitoring tests in pregnant women and their implication in newborns.