Is it necessary to administer anti-D to prevent RhD immunization after the transfusion of RhD-positive platelet concentrates?

Serology for the presence of anti-D after RhD-incompatible platelet transfusions was performed in 24 RhD-negative patients with haematological disease and 59 RhD-negative patients with non-haematological disease. None of the patients were given prophylaxis with anti-D to prevent RhD immunization. Eight out of 59 (13.5%) non-haematology patients developed detectable anti-D, whereas 0 out of 24 (0%) of the haematology patients formed anti-D (P = 0.06). The risk of alloimmunization after RhD-incompatible platelet transfusions using platelet concentrates prepared by modern technical methods appears to be small in patients with haematological disease, but is significant in non-immunocompromised patients.