Bethany and Molly chat with Dr. Kara Markham, (M.D. University of Cincinnati Medical Center)  a maternal fetal medicine specialist and expert in the pregnancy management of alloimmunization and HDFN. They ask questions from the allo community, and end with Bethany and Dr. Markham in a trivia competition about HDFN. 

During this grab bag episode, Bethany, Molly and Dr. Markham discuss the following, and more:

• Whether antibody titers can be lowered
• Whether to use Rh immune globulin ("Rhogam") in early pregnancy bleeding
• Cross-matching for more than just the D antigen before transfusion
• Breastfeeding HDFN babies
• Checking titers before pregnancy
• When to do plasmapheresis and IVIG
• When to conduct MCA Doppler ultrasounds
• How to ask for different care

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• AAP guidelines for hyperbilirubinemia: LINK
• Zimmerman et al. study (with Mari) discussing the utility of weekly MCAs in discussion: LINK
• Dr. Markham's paper on women with multiple antibodies: LINK
• Sensitization Rates:
  • Buhari HA, Sagir A, Akuyam SA, Erhabor O, Panti AA. Distribution of Maternal Red Cell Antibodies and the Risk of Haemolytic Disease of the Foetus and Newborn in Sokoto Nigeria. Journal of Complementary and Alternative Medical Research. 2022 Dec 23;20(2):22-9.
  • Fan J, Lee BK, Wikman AT, Johansson S, Reilly M. Associations of Rhesus and non-Rhesus maternal red blood cell alloimmunization with stillbirth and preterm birth. International journal of epidemiology. 2014 Aug 1;43(4):1123-31.
  • Yang EJ, Shin KH, Song D, Lee SM, Kim IS, Kim HH, Lee HJ. Prevalence of unexpected antibodies in pregnant Korean women and neonatal outcomes. The Korean Journal of Blood Transfusion. 2019 Apr 30;30(1):23-32.

Research for this episode provided by Bethany Weathersby and Molly Sherwood of the Allo Hope Foundation. Find more information at allohopefoundation.org.

The Allo Podcast is produced and edited by https://www.mediaclub.co