ABSTRACT

Hong Kong Med J 2004;10:347-9 | Number 5, October 2004
CASE REPORT
A case of severe haemolytic disease of the newborn due to anti-Di(a) antibody
JY Ting, ESK Ma, KY Wong
Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital, 102 Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong
 
 
Red cell allo-antibodies directed against the Diego (Di) blood group antigen have rarely been reported to cause a haemolytic reaction against transfusion or haemolytic disease of the newborn. The frequency of the Di(a+) phenotype among the Hong Kong Chinese population is estimated to be 4.4%. We report on a case of severe haemolytic disease of the newborn due to anti-Di(a) antibody—the first local case to the best of our knowledge. Rare but clinically significant antibodies targeting red blood cells have to be considered in the investigation of haemolytic disease of the newborn when common underlying factors have been eliminated.
 
Key words: Erythroblastosis, fetal; Infant, newborn
 
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