1. MATERNAL ANTIBODIES
AND
COOMB’S TEST
Presented By : Isha Anand Wahane (M.Sc. 1st year)
Under the guidance of : Dr. Hariprasad Paikrao
(Assistant Professor, Dept. of Forensic Biology Govt. Institute
of Forensic Science Nagpur )
2. TOPIC :
1)What is Maternal antibody?
2)Why it is so Important ?
3)How it is related to forensic science?
3. 1)What is Maternal antibody?
An antibodies produced by the mother and
transferred to the fetus in utero or during
breastfeeding .
These passively acquired antibodies enter
the bloodstream of offspring and act as a
protective shield throughout the body in the
same way as actively produced antibodies.
The term “maternal antibodies” will be
used for passively transferred IgG
antibodies.
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4. 2)Why it is so Important ?
About 20% of all infants have an ABO maternal blood group incompatibility
Less severe than Rhesus incompatibility.
Rh-positive red cells of the fetus enter into the maternal circulation
The first immune response in the mother is the formation of IgM antibodies (they
do not cross the placenta) and therefore the first baby is usually unaffected.
Subsequent antigen exposure leads to an increased response and IgG formation in
the mother, which does cross the placenta and destroy the fetal red blood cells
(RBC) leading to anemia, heart failure and hydrops.
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7. Hemolytic Disease Of The Fetus / Newborn:
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A condition in which the red cells of the fetus or Newborn are destroyed by maternally derived
Alloantibodies.
The antibodies arise in the mother as the direct result of Blood group incompatibility between the
mother and fetus.
The mother becomes iso-immunized.
In the fetus: erythroblastosis fetalis
The fetal and neonatal complications that may
occur.
Hydrops fetalis.
Intrauterine fetal death or early neonatal death due to cardiac failure.
Icterus gravis neonatorum.
Congenital anemia of the newborn.
8. The Antiglobulin Test
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Antiglobulin serum (Coomb’s Serum) was discovered by Coombs in 1945.
The antiglobulin test can be used to detect red cells sensitized with IgG
alloantibodies.
Sensitization of red cells can occur and to detect it.
The use of AHG serum to detect sensitization of red cells in vitro can be:
One stage technique , the direct antiglobulin test (DAT).
Two stage technique , the indirect antiglobulin test (IAT).
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This is the test that is done on
the newborn’s blood sample, the
test is looking for "foreign"
antibodies that are already
adhered to the infant's red blood
cells (RBCs), a potential cause
of hemolysis.
This is referred to as "antibody-
mediated hemolysis".
10. 1 0
This is the test that is done on the
mother's blood sample as part of
her prenatal labs. Frequently
referred to as the "antibody
screen“
This test identifies a long list of
minor antigens that could either
cause problems in the newborns
or cause problems in the mother
if transfusion is necessary.
