Significance of positive direct anti-globulin test for cord blood--in administration of anti-d immunoglobulin for postpartum immunoprophylaxis.

The aim of this paper is to reconsider the significance of a positive direct antiglobulin test for cord blood, especially in the case of administration of anti-D immunoglobulin for postpartum immunoprophylaxis. In 421 samples of cord blood, 14(3.3%) positive results were obtained in a direct antiglobulin test. From these cord blood cells, antibodies were eluted and identified as follows: anti-A, 6; anti-B, 6; anti-E+ c, 1 and anti-Jra, 1. Thus, not all cases giving positive results in a direct antiglobulin test in cord blood at delivery have anti-D antibodies. And the elution test should be done in order to specifically identify the coated antibody as anti-D or non-anti-D.