The aim of this dissertation was to identify gaps in knowledge and room for improvements in certain aspects of the current system of prevention and care regarding RBC alloimmunization in pregnancy.... Show moreThe aim of this dissertation was to identify gaps in knowledge and room for improvements in certain aspects of the current system of prevention and care regarding RBC alloimmunization in pregnancy. The focus in this thesis was to evaluate the performance of new measures in the prevention program, the follow-up with laboratory monitoring in alloimmunized pregnancies and the counseling of pregnant women and their partners, in cases of RBC alloimmunization. Show less
Pregnancy can be seen as an immunologic paradox. Even though the fetus expresses paternally inherited alloantigens it is protected from rejection by a proper regulation of the maternal immune... Show morePregnancy can be seen as an immunologic paradox. Even though the fetus expresses paternally inherited alloantigens it is protected from rejection by a proper regulation of the maternal immune system. With the studies described in this thesis, we want to get more insight in the immunologic mechanisms that play a role in pregnancy. The results of this research can help to identify underlying etiologies in patients with unexplained pregnancy complications, such as recurrent miscarriage. Identifying these causes is important for providing answers and taking away anxiety in these couples, and eventually for the development of effective therapies. Furthermore, elucidating the mechanism leading to survival or rejection of the fetal allograft is not only essential for our understanding of processes leading to normal and abnormal pregnancies, but may also result in important concepts in the field of transplantation and autoimmunity. Show less
