First trimester antigen typing of fetal red cells using a flow cytometric technique

Abstract

EDITORIAL COMMENT: The use of fetal red cell antigen typing using chorionic villus sampling is appropriate when the partner is heterozygous only if termination of an at risk fetus is planned as in the case reported here. Determination of the fetal red cell antigen (usually rhesus D typing) by this method when early therapeutic intervention may be required is offset by the 50% risk of chorionic villus sampling causing fetomaternal haemorrhage and promotion of antibody formation by the mother.