Management of pregnancies with anti-K alloantibodies and the predictive value of anti-K titration testing.

Abstract

Anti-KEL1 antigen (also referred to as anti-Kell, or anti-K) alloimmunisation is the second most common cause of severe haemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn, after anti-rhesus D antigen, and can cause substantial fetal morbidity and mortality. Both fetal erythropoietic suppression and haemolysis contribute to anaemia. Typically, once a clinically significant alloantibody is identified during pregnancy, antibody titration is performed as a screening test to predict the risk of anaemia and the need for maternal-fetal medicine referral. The titre is a semiquantitative laboratory method based on the underlying principle that increased maternal antibody concentrations are associated with an increased risk of fetal anaemia. Because some studies report that anti-K alloantibodies can lead to severe anaemia even at a low antibody titration, guidelines are inconsistent with respect to the role of titration testing. Some experts recommend maternal-fetal medicine referral and middle cerebral artery Doppler ultrasound without titration testing or with the use of a very low cutoff titre. This Viewpoint evaluates management for pregnancies affected by anti-K alloantibodies and highlights literature regarding the predictive value of anti-K titration testing.