Flow Cytometry in Detection of Fetal Red Blood Cells and Maternal F Cells to Identify Fetomaternal Hemorrhage

• Published in: Fetal and pediatric pathology Vol. 35; no. 6; pp. 385 - 391
• Main Authors: Farias, Mariela Granero, Dal Bó, Suzane, Castro, Simone Martins de, da Silva, Aline Reis, Bonazzoni, Joyce, Scotti, Luciana, Costa, Sergio H. Almeida Martins
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Taylor & Francis 01.11.2016
• Subjects: Adult; alloimmunization; Blood Group Incompatibility - physiopathology; Female; Fetal Blood - cytology; Fetal hemoglobin; Fetal Hemoglobin - metabolism; Fetomaternal Transfusion - diagnosis; Fetomaternal Transfusion - therapy; flow cytometry; Flow Cytometry - methods; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Postpartum Period - physiology; Pregnancy; Rh-Hr Blood-Group System - physiology; Rho(D) Immune Globulin - therapeutic use; Young Adult; flow cytometry; alloimmunization; Rh; Fetal hemoglobin
• ISSN: 1551-3815; 1551-3823
• DOI: 10.1080/15513815.2016.1209260

Accurate detection and quantitation of fetomaternal hemorrhage (FMH) is critical to the obstetric management of rhesus D alloimmunization in Rh-negative pregnant women. The flow cytometry is based on the detection of fetal red blood cells using a monoclonal anti-HbF antibody, and is the method most indicated for this estimation. The objective of this study was to quantify fetal red blood cell levels of pregnant women using flow cytometry. We analyzed 101 peripheral blood samples from Rh-negative and Rh-positive women, whose mean age was 24 years (20-32 years), after vaginal delivery or cesarean section. Our study showed that 53% of pregnant women had fetal red blood cells levels <2.0 mL, 31% between 2.0-3.9 mL, 16% between 4.0-15.0 mL, and 1% >15.0 mL. Accurate quantitation of fetal red blood cells is necessary to determine the appropriate dose of anti-D (RHD) immunoglobulin to be administered to pregnant or postpartum women.