Anti-Lewis alloimmunization: report of seven cases.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the perinatal results of seven pregnant women with anti-Lewis antibodies and evaluate the need to screen for these antigens during routine prenatal care. SETTING: São Paulo Universtity Hospital, São Paulo, Brazil. POPULATION 200 Rh-negative pregnant women with a positive indirect Coombs test, managed during a 6-year period. METHODS: The charts of all patients were reviewed to collect pertinent data and the variables were analyzed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Indirect Coombs test titer, intrauterine transfusion, mode of delivery, gestational age at birth, birthweight, neonatal transfusion, duration of neonatal hospitalization and perinatal mortality. RESULTS: All newborn infants were classified as adequate for gestational age at birth and none needed intrauterine or neonatal transfusions. All infants, except one, were discharged in good health on the third day after birth. CONCLUSIONS: Alloimmunized pregnancies (Levis antigens) have good perinatal results.