During day to day management of children in intensive care unit and wards, we face a lot of diagnostic dilemmas. Decisions taken in the best interests of patients may save the child. Of course occasional failures too. Sharing few of such experiences This was not my personal experience but a doubt of a colleague. “A primi mother with Rh D status as weak D (Du) gave birth to a male baby. No past history of abortion or transfusion. His doubt is whether anti D to be administered or not?
” whose answer could not be given on the spot. Traditionally weak D (Du) is defined as red cells having reduced amount of D antigen (require indirect anti globulin test (IAT) for its detection). As she is already positive, she is less likely to mount an antibody response to Rh positive cells of the baby. Then why should we give anti-D? Good logic. But it needs bit more explanation ( bit boring genetic basis…
