Antibodies to IGA in Pregnancy and in Recipient of Rho(D) Immune Globulin (Human)

A group of 192 Rh‐negative postpartum women were studied to determine the role of pregnancy and of Rh o (D) immune globulin (human) in the production of anti‐IgA antibodies. One hundred and thirty‐two women received 1–2 ml of Rh o (D) immune globulin soon after delivery, and 57 women receiving no Rh o (D) immune globulin served as controls. Both groups were reinvestigated at three to nine months postpartum for the presence of anti‐IgA. The incidence of anti‐IgA antibodies was similar in the control group and in the group receiving Rh o (D) immune globulin. The prevalence of anti‐IgA antibodies of 24 per cent in pregnancy is significant, compared to a prevalence of 2 per cent in healthy male donors.