The risk of developing hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN) during pregnancy results in a significant psychological burden on patients and their families. Thus, mental health support should be an important part of the management in these cases, according to a recently published study ahead of the SMFM 2024 Pregnancy Meeting.
Alloimmunization is the immunological process in which an individual’s immune system develops antibodies directed toward the antigens of another human. For pregnancies in which the mother’s blood group is RH negative but the fetus is RH positive, alloimmunization can lead to HDFN in a subsequent pregnancy.
Learn more about HDFN symptoms and risks
A study conducted over five months analyzed the perceived quality of care and its effect on mental health and daily living among individuals grappling with alloimmunization during pregnancy.
The study consisted of 127 respondents detailing 200 pregnancies: over 91% reported new or worsening feelings of anxiety, accompanied by grappling with self-doubt in over 65%. Over 60% exhibiting symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) during their pregnancies.
Despite the emotional challenges reported, mental health support was offered in only 25% of all immunized pregnancies. Less than half of respondents were content with the continuity of care, and more than 53% changed physicians due to poor care.
“Alloimmunization imposes a high emotional burden on patients. The obstetric and high-risk fetal medicine community must turn its attention to offering mental health support and bolstering its understanding of this complicated disease to minimize the patient burden,” the authors wrote.
