JKA Antibodies

[SiobhanKav]

I'm 11+4 weeks pregnant. This is my 2nd pregnancy but 1st pregnancy with my husband. I have been told that I have Anti JKA antibodies. I have been referred to fetal medicine, appointment next week. They need to take bloods from my husband and I to investigate further. The midwife said it's nothing for me to worry about and it's something the hospital will manage with close monitoring. Still can't help slightly freaking out. Has anyone else experienced this?

These are what are known as red cell antibodies. You should have been give this leaflet nhsbtdbe.blob.core.windows.net/umbraco-assets-corp/18055/inf166-blood-groups-and-red-cell-antibodies-in-pregnancy.pdf
These are less problematic antibodies than the ones mentioned in the leaflet, but to make sure that you baby gets the best start in life it is very good advice to be reviewed by the fetal medicine team.

Hope this helps & things go well for you

Thank you so much for your response and for sending the leaflet. Unfortunately the midwife I saw today had not come across this before. She did really try to reassure me but knowing she hadn't come across this before made me feel more anxious. Thank you, you really have put my mind at ease.

I have red cell antibodies - I think mine are anti C and anti E, which is a different group to yours. They discovered mine in labour with my DS, did a load of tests, but said they'd only potentially cause problems with further pregnancy so I put it to the back of my mind. I never saw the actual results of the tests.

I'm pregnant again and have been sending myself insane with research. Aside from the (unlikely & treatable) problems for baby they can cause if levels get too high, what no one mentioned was problems with blood matching for transfusions. As I understand I should carry an antibody card. I think that's pretty important too, not just problems for baby! I expect to also be referred to a foetal medicine specialist... dreading the outcome of my booking bloods.

Sorry no help, just someone in a similar position with fingers firmly crossed

@DavinaDougie I'm in the same situation as you except dreaded Anti D antibodies. My booking bloods have come back showing antibodies so I am going in next week for more tests. Like you, I put it to the back of my mind and now suddenly it's all I can think about.

Do you know if the antibodies are likely to hang around after the first pregnancy irrespective of the blood type of the second?

@bleepers sorry to hear that, it's such a worry. Fingers cross for good news on your further tests.
Unfortunately yes, once you've got them you've got them. I believe it depends on what blood type the baby is second time round that determines the likelihood of problems like HDN but it's such a complex field! I have a scientific background and have read more research papers than I care to admit and I STILL don't get it!!

@davinadougie thank you for replying. Anti D antibodies are actually quite straightforward so I do understand them (as much as a layperson can) but what I was wondering was whether they'd hang around in the second pregnancy even if the second baby was RH negative? Thanks again for replying x

Yes, so the antibodies are yours for keeps, but it will depend on the blood type of the baby as to what the effects your blood might have on the baby. Hope that makes sense!