BHCG, Rhesus D and Progesterone
Rhesus Status
Rhesus D (Rh D) immunoglobulin is administered to non-sensitised Rh D negative women to prevent the development of Rh D antibodies and in so doing prevent Rh D induced haemolytic disease of the newborn.
- 15% of the population are Rhesus negative
- Rh D Immunoglobulin is indicated whenever it is known or suspected that foetal red cells have entered the circulation of an Rh negative mother unless the father can be shown conclusively to be Rh D negative
- Anti-D only works on D antigens and should be given as soon as possible after the immunising event
- Always try to give within 72 hours
- If not offered within 72 hours then it can be given 9-10 days providing no maternal antibodies have been produced
Indication
Rhesus D negative mother with
- Delivery of a rhesus positive infant
- Abdominal trauma with potential placental separation eg MVA
- Elective procedures such as amniocentesis, chorionic villus sampling (CVS) and external cephalic version (ECV)
- During pregnancy with
- Ectopic pregnancy
- Spontaneous miscarriage:
- Anti-D Ig should be given to all non-sensitised RhD negative women who have a spontaneous complete or incomplete abortion after 12 weeks of pregnancy
- Threatened miscarriage:
- Anti-D Ig should be given to all non-sensitised RhD negative women with a threatened miscarriage after 12 weeks of pregnancy. Where bleeding continues intermittently after 12 weeks’ gestation, anti-D Ig should be given at 6-weekly intervals
- Antepartum haemorrhage (APH)
What dose should I give?
- Aim for 20 micrograms of Anti-D for each ml of Rh D positive red cells – as determined by Kleihauer-Betke test
- In general no Kleihauer is required for early pregnancy disease
- <12 weeks 250 IU or 50 micrograms anti-D
- > 12 weeks 625 IU or 125 micrograms anti-D
- Important for patients being discharged from DEM following an episode of light bleeding in early pregnancy with viable intrauterine pregnancy
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
---|---|---|---|
Stage of Pregnancy | Clinical Indications | Mandatory Tests | Dose of Anti-D (Give within 72 hours) |
First Trimester (≤ 13 weeks) | Threatened abortion Incomplete abortion Missed abortion Miscarriage PV bleeding Chorionic Villus Sampling TOP | Blood Group Antibody Screen | 1 x 50 μg 250IU |
Second and third Trimesters | Antepartum Haemorrhage Chorionic Villus Sampling Amniocentesis Cordocentesis External Cephalic Version Trauma PV bleeding Placental abruption Therapeutic abortion | Blood Group Antibody Screen Kleihauer | 1 x 125 μg/6 mL fetal cells in maternal circulation 625 IU |
Postpartum | Rh Positive baby Du Positive Baby Macerated Fetus (or other inability to obtain fetal blood | Blood group Antibody Screen Kleihauer |
beta-Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (β-HCG)
- β-HCG – correlates to age of pregnancy and specific USS findings
- First 60 days (weeks 4-8)
- Double every 1.4 to 2.1 days
- Taking two β-HCG 48 hours apart can be helpful
- If repeat β-HCG in 48 hours shows an increase by <20% or a reduction it is 100% sensitive for foetal demise or ectopic
- However the test cannot distinguish between foetal demise or ectopic
- If β-HCG >50,000 ectopic pregnancy very unlikely
Serum progesterone Levels
- Can be helpful in predicting pregnancy outcomes in the first 8/40
- In contrast to rising β-HCG, the progesterone levels remain constant during the first 9-10 weeks and rise sharply after that
- Progesterone <5ng/ml – usually non-viable pregnancy (ectopic, abortion)
- Progesterone 5-25ng/ml – usually abnormal gestation
- Progesterone >25ng/ml – strongly associated with viable intrauterine pregnancy (IUP)
Fellowship Notes
Doctor at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital in Western Australia. Graduated from Curtin University in 2023 with a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery. I am passionate about Obstetrics and Gynaecology, with a special interest in rural health care.
Physician in training. German translator and lover of medical history.