Rh erythroblastosis fetalis 1975.

Great advances have been made in the management of Rh erythroblastosis fetalis in the past two decades. Perinatal mortality has been reduced from 16.4% to 3.2%. However, perinatal mortality can only be reduced to zero if Rh erythroblastosis can be eradicated by prevention of Rh isoimmunization. Although prevention of Rh immunization by Rh immune globulin prophylaxis is now a reality, it does not appear that Rh immunization will be completely prevented with a single postdelivery injection. Antenatal treatment plus screening by the Kleihauer technique for massive transplacental hemorrhage may be necessary before complete suppression can be achieved. Low protein Rh immune globulin, and ultimately column-produced, very low protein, highly purified Rh immune globulin for intravenous use may prove to be the safest, most economical, and effective material for Rh prevention and total eradication of Rh erythroblastosis fetalis.