Hemolytic Disease of the Fetus and Newborn due to an Anti-LU1 (anti-Lua) Alloantibody: A Case Report.

INTRODUCTION

Many erythrocyte antibodies have been reported to cause hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN), but Lutheran (LU) alloantibodies are normally not involved in HDFN.

CASE PRESENTATION: Here we report the obstetrical history of a 29-year-old woman with pregnancy complications due to an anti-LU1 antibody causing fetal anemia and the successful treatment with intrauterine transfusion (IUT). Nonimmune hematological causes for fetal anemia and the presence of further alloantibodies, notably antibodies against low-frequency antigens, could be ruled out. Swiss National Immunohematology Reference Laboratory in Bern carried out a monocyte monolayer assay. The monocyte index was >20%, indicating the presence of a clinical relevant antibody.

CONCLUSION

The diagnosis, acute management, and follow-up of neonates with fetal anemia still represent an important area of activity for maternity/neonatal services. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of HDFN due to an anti-LU1 antibody requiring IUT.