Determination of RH-factor (RHD gene) of the fetus in the mother's blood by molecular genetic method

15% of pregnant women are Rh-negative. In 60% of cases, they may develop incompatibility with the fetus due to the Rh factor. This is one of the most common causes of fetal death or infant death rate. All Rh-negative pregnant women are supposed to be injected with "anti-D-immunoglobulin". The cost of immunoglobulin is quite high (more than 50 000 tenge). These drugs may contain a large list of side effects. In addition, according to the requirements of the protocol of the Ministry of Healthcare of the Republic of Kazakhstan No. 10 dated July 4, 2014, all pregnant women with a negative Rh factor must be monitored for antibody titer. Which also introduces additional costs for laboratory diagnostics.

Psycho-emotional factor. Realizing the possible risks of pregnancy loss, a woman until the last moment is in a stressful state, which, along with constant depression against the background of changing hormonal background, can lead to undesirable complications of pregnancy and adversely affect the health of women.

Social factor. Being under constant stress, most families break up. Statistically, more than 37% of families break up after repeated pregnancy (baby) loss. However, about 50% of Rh-negative pregnant women carry an Rh-negative fetus, and Rh conflict is ruled out. Starting from about 4 weeks of pregnancy, the fetus and the mother's body constantly exchange DNA. By the 10th week of pregnancy, fetal DNA in the mother's bloodstream can reach 3-7% percent of the total amount of all DNA. It is on finding this (Native) DNA that the method is based.

Once the fetus DNA has been isolated, a simple process remains. To select the necessary fragment that is responsible for encoding the Rh factor gene, it is also called the RHD gene. The method has high sensitivity - 99%, and specificity -100%, which with almost 100% probability allows you to determine the sex of the fetus from 12 weeks of pregnancy.

The method is absolutely safe. Uses venous blood of the expectant mother. It is very fast in execution (from 2-4 days), and has a low price.