Approach to Pregnancy Affected by Kell Alloimmunization

• Published in: Case reports in hematology Vol. 2024; no. 1; p. 1929147
• Main Authors: Aykut, Serdar, Demir, Suleyman Cansun, Evruke, Ismaıl Cuneyt, Sucu, Mete, Uzay, Fatma Islek, Avan, Mesut, Bayer, Ozge Keles, Yalcin, Emre
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States John Wiley & Sons, Inc 2024; Hindawi Limited; Wiley
• Subjects: Anemia; Anemia in pregnancy; Antibodies; Antigens; Blood groups; Case Report; Cesarean section; Childbirth & labor; Fetuses; Hemoglobin; Hydrops fetalis; Immune response; Intensive care; Neonatology; Pregnancy; Pregnant women; Vagina; Viral antibodies
• ISSN: 2090-6560; 2090-6579
• DOI: 10.1155/2024/1929147

Hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN) is the development of anemia, hyperbilirubinemia, and finally hydrops fetalis in the fetus when antibodies to antigens on the surface of erythrocytes are transferred from the placenta to the fetus. The most common cause is D-HDFN. K (KEL1) from the Kell blood group system is the most potent immunogenic antigen after D among all blood group antigens. K-HDFN occurs in 0.1-0.3% of pregnant women. It accounts for 10% of cases of antibody-mediated severe fetal anemia. We present a successful management of Kell alloimmunization in a pregnant woman who had 3 times pregnancy loss with hydrops fetalis due to K-HDFN and who was proven to have K-HDFN in the postnatal period in her last pregnancy.