Rhesus D genotyping by PCR of amniotic fluid offers a very valuable tool for prenatal care of Rhesus D-alloimmunized women. Misleading results have been reported for the method of Bennett et al. analysing the 3'-terminal end of the RhD gene. We have observed also problems with Rhesus D genotyping of DVI-variant samples in the assay of Simsek et al. utilizing size differences of intron 4 between the Rhesus D and the Rhesus CcEe gene. We, thus, prefer to amplify two different regions including the 3'-terminal region of the Rhesus D gene to further minimize the very low risk of false-negative results. This rapid Rhesus D genotyping usually does not require more than 2 ml of amniotic fluid.
Amniocentesis Amniotic Fluid