ERYTHROBLASTOSIS FETALIS IN THE FIRST-BORN : PREVENTION OF ITS MOST SEVERE FORMS

The incidence of fatal forms of erythroblastosis fetalis in the first-born can be diminished by the simple measure of transfusing all Rh negative female patients, even as infants, with Rh negative blood. Once a female patient is found to be Rh negative, all subsequent transfusions must be carried out with Rh negative blood. The indications are that sufficient human anti-Rh serums will become available for the more extensive Rh tests required for the prevention of iso-immunization by transfusion.