Anti-D plasma donation is lifesaving for babies

Written by guest contributor Katie Shanahan, Allo Hope Foundation Director of Development.

Every year, thousands of mothers around the world face the threat of a rare and serious pregnancy condition called Rh incompatibility. Rh incompatibility occurs when a pregnant mother is exposed to a blood type different than her own and her immune system forms antibodies against her growing baby, specifically when the mother's blood mixes with the baby’s blood. Antibodies are proteins made by your immune system that identify and eliminate foreign substances. Rh negative means you lack the Rhesus D (Rh) protein on your red blood cells, so your body treats Rh proteins as a threat. Rh-negative mothers can develop antibodies when carrying an Rh-positive fetus, a process called alloimmunization. Those antibodies then cross the placenta and destroy the red blood cells of the unborn baby. The destruction of the baby’s red blood cells is called hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN). Without proper monitoring and treatment, HDFN is life-threatening for the baby and can cause severe anemia, jaundice, heart failure, and stillbirth.

What is remarkable about Rh incompatibility is that there is a safe, effective way to prevent the development of the problematic antibodies: Rh immunoglobulin (RhIG), commonly known as anti-D or RhoGAM. What many people don’t know, however, is that this medication relies entirely on the generosity of plasma donors. Every dose of RhIG is created from donor plasma containing anti-D antibodies, and this donation is lifesaving for babies worldwide.

Katie Shanahan experienced this personally and described, “My connection to this cause is deeply personal. I was not offered RhIG when I needed it and therefore formed anti-D antibodies. This preventable error changed the course of my life, and my first son was severely affected by HDFN.” 

While access to RhIG is standard in many high-income countries, half of the world’s mothers who need RhIG never receive it. That means millions of babies remain at risk of death or lifelong disability from HDFN.

Shanahan shared, “Throughout my pregnancy, we faced fear, uncertainty, and trauma. My son required multiple intrauterine blood transfusions, a highly specialized procedure in which blood is delivered through the umbilical vein to the baby to treat fetal anemia. When he was born, he required NICU care for treatment of his anemia and high bilirubin levels, and even after we were sent home, he needed an additional four blood transfusions over the first five months of his life.”

In many low- and middle-income countries without access to RhIG or high-quality obstetric care, mothers often learn of their alloimmunization only after experiencing recurrent and devastating pregnancy losses. These losses are mostly preventable.

Shanahan explained, “Because [my son] received the right monitoring and care, he is now a happy and healthy four-year-old boy. But our positive outcome is not the case for everyone, especially in places where RhIG is unavailable, unaffordable or where specialized obstetric care is limited.” 

Prevention relies on access to RhIG, and one of the challenges to that access is the supply that depends entirely on anti-D plasma donors. Anti-D plasma donors have a unique and extraordinary ability to create RhIG with their plasma. These Anti-D plasma donations have specific requirements above regular plasma donation and take place at specific plasma donation locations. 

During Shanahan’s experience navigating HDFN, she relied heavily on support and resources provided by The Allo Hope Foundation (AHF), a global nonprofit dedicated to preventing unnecessary loss from HDFN. Realizing how fortunate she was to have a positive outcome, Shanahan began working for the foundation as the director of development. AHF provides evidence-based resources, direct patient counselling, and global advocacy. Many of their initiatives focus on raising awareness about the importance of knowing your blood type, and preventing RhD alloimmunization with RhIG, as well as helping those who cannot afford preventive care. Just last year, she was able to begin donating her own anti-D antibodies through specialty plasma donation, and said, “It was one of the most meaningful and healing experiences of my life.”

Find out if you can donate anti-D plasma and help prevent the devastating consequences of HDFN. To those who already donate anti-D plasma—thank you. Your gift truly protects babies and keeps families intact.