Please note: This publication has been rescinded
Synopsis
Rh D immunoglobulin (anti-D) is used to prevent the effects of Rh blood group incompatibility between a woman and her baby. Reviews of the available evidence relating to the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of the prophylactic use of anti-D in obstetrics found that:
- there is strong evidence that the use of anti-D postpartum is both effective and cost effective;
- there is little high-level evidence for the use of anti-D antenatally, but results still support the use of anti-D for potentially sensitising events during pregnancy and also for routine prophylaxis during pregnancy.
However, for a variety of reasons both within Australia and worldwide, in recent years there has been insufficient anti-D to meet Australian requirements. While national production of anti-D has increased, there are continuing difficulties in rectifying the shortfall.
A Working Party appointed by the NHMRC developed guidelines which aim to balance best practice in the use of Rh D immunoglobulin with limited supply, and explore options for increasing supply. These guidelines are intended to cover the two years from their publication, to address the period of constraint between now and future self-sufficiency in anti-D.
