Placental lactogen levels in rhesus isoimmunization.

A prospective study of the plasma levels of human placental lactogen (HPL) in pregnancies complicated by rhesus isoimmunization showed that in mild and moderately affected cases the levels were normal, while in severely affected cases they were raised. Serial levels of HPL before the 26th week provide a valuable indication of fetal outcome, and we suggest that this estimation should be used routinely as an adjunct to other tests in the management of rhesus isoimmunization.