Maternal antibody titre

Description: 
Antenatal patients with a clinically significant antibodies need to be monitored and have titres performed on the offending antibody. This is to identify those pregnancies which are at risk of Haemolytic Disease of the Newborn (HDN) and to predict fetuses/infants who are likely to require treatment. Potentially significant antibodies include anti-D, C, c, Cw, E, e, Kpa, Jka, Jkb, S, s, Fya and Fyb. Testing may be performed in house or referred to the national blood service depending on antibody and expected levels. Significant changes in results are forwarded to the Fetal Medicine Unit.
Clinical details: 
For further information please refer to the GSTT Clinical Guidance Policy.
http://tww-wafr/WAFR-FAD/Applications/ClinicalGuidance/User/Details.aspx?id=4971
Related condition or disease: 
Pregnancy
Reference range: 

N/A

Synonyms or keywords: 
Maternal, pregnancy, HDN
Units: 
N/A
Department: 
Blood Sciences Department
Location: 
St Thomas' Hospital
Sample type and Volume required: 
Griener Vacutte K3EDTA 6 mls whole blood for adult tube (Pink top)
Griener Vacutte K2EDTA 4 mls whole blood for adult tube (Purple top)

In regards to sample testing, whole blood samples stored at room temperature are valid for 48 hours.
Call in advance: 
NO
Special sample instructions: 

Samples for Transfusion testing must include the following minimum details:

All details must be legibly handwritten on the blood tube.

 

Surname (in full)

Forename (in full)

GSTT Hospital Number*

Date of Birth

Date and time of sample

Sex

Signature of the person taking the sample

*Most samples from GP surgeries may be accepted without a hospital number. However samples for transfusion testing on antenatal patients must always have a GSTT hospital number.

Factors affecting the results:

Samples must be processed within 48 hours of collection, samples received after this time may give erroneous results due to antibody deterioration and therefore will not be reported. Titration scores do not give a valid prediction of risk of HDN in patients with immune anti-D or anti-c and these samples will be referred to NHSBT for antibody quantitation. 

Criteria for acceptance / rejections of sample
Storage and transport: 
Sample Retention: Samples are stored for 7 days.
Contacts:
Blood Transfusion Laboratory at Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital
020 7188 4774
Blood Transfusion Laboratory
St Thomas' Hospital
North Wing, 5th Floor
St Thomas' Hospital
Westminster Bridge Road
London SE1 7EH

Blood Transfusion Laboratory
Guy's Hospital
Southwark Wing, 4th Floor
Great Maze Pond
London SE1 9RT
For clinical advice or interpretation of results, please contact the laboratory in the first instance.
Laboratory: 
Blood Transfusion Laboratory at Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital

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Last updated: 25/08/2022