Hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn caused by an antibody to a low-prevalence antigen, anti-SARA.

BACKGROUND

The first case describing the SARAH (SARA) antigen occurred in 1990, in an Australian blood donor. Hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN) due to anti-SARA has not been previously described.

CASE REPORT: We report a case of HDFN in a multiparous female. The pregnancy was unremarkable except that she was involved in a seemingly minor motor vehicle accident at 25 weeks' gestation. Routine prenatal antibody screening was negative throughout the pregnancy. She presented at 37 weeks' gestation because of decreased fetal movements. Labor was induced and a 2702-g infant male was delivered. The infant's hemoglobin was 49 g/L and the bilirubin was 153 µmol/L.

RESULTS

Blood samples from the parents and infant were referred to Canadian Blood Services National Immunohematology Reference Laboratory and subsequently to the Australian Red Cross Red Cell Reference Service. The father's and infant's red blood cells were confirmed to be SARA positive, and the mother's plasma contained anti-SARA.

CONCLUSION

The infant was successfully treated with a double-volume exchange transfusion. This is the first example of HDFN associated with this antibody.