ABSTRACT
-D- is a rare haplotype that determines D without C, c, E or e, and exalted D activity.
The extremely rare homozygote propositi (-D-/-D-) are usually ascertained through
their immune antibodies, anti-Rh17 (Hô), which react with red cells of all common
Rh phenotypes. The authors experienced the first case in Korea of a woman with -D-
phenotype. She had a history of spontaneous abortion, therapeutic termination and
red cell transfusion, and at her third pregnancy she delivered a baby with severe
hemolytic disease of the newborn. In spite of intensive medical intervention, the
baby died of hydrops fetalis. An immune antibody to high incidence Rh antigen, namely
anti-Rhi 7 (Hô), was demonstrated in the woman's serum. A family study revealed that
the -D- gene complex was present in all its members and one of the woman's sisters
was also -D- homozygote. In the serum of this sister, anti-Rh1 7 (Hô) was also present.
Keywords
-D- homozygote - fatal hemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN) - anti-Rh17 (Hô)
