Selective IgA Deficiency in Rh‐Negative Women

Abstract. Sera obtained from 15,500 Rh‐negative pregnant women were screened for presence of serum IgA. 12 out of 15,500 or 0.08% of the women were deficient in serum IgA, and only one of these 12 women had anti‐IgA antibody of broad specificity. Nine women with IgA deficiency received anti‐Rh o γ‐globulin within 72 h after delivery. None of them developed anti‐IgA antibodies 3–6 months following injection of anti‐Rh o γ‐globulin. Administration of Rh immune globulin to one subject (case No. 5) in this group who has class‐specific anti‐IgA was not associated with any untoward reactions, and there was no significant change in the antibody level.