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Recommendation Statement
This statement summarizes the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendations on screening for Rh(D) incompatibility and the supporting scientific evidence and updates the 1996 recommendations contained in the Guide to Clinical Preventive Services, 2d ed.1 In 1996, the USP-STF recommended Rh(D) blood typing and antibody screening for all pregnant women at their first prenatal visit (A recommendation).1 Since then, the USPSTF criteria to rate the strength of the evidence have changed.2 Therefore, this recommendation statement has been updated and revised based on the current USPSTF methodology and rating of the strength of the evidence. Explanations of the current USPSTF ratings and of the strength of overall evidence are given in Tables 1 and 2, respectively.
The complete information on which this statement is based, including evidence tables and references, is available in the brief update3 on this topic on the USPSTF Web site (http://www.preventiveservices.ahrq. gov). The recommendation also is posted on the Web site of the National Guideline Clearinghouse (http://www.guideline.gov).
Summary of Recommendations
The USPSTF strongly recommends Rh(D) blood typing and antibody testing for all pregnant women during their first visit for pregnancy-related care. A recommendation.
The USPSTF found good evidence that Rh(D) blood typing, anti-Rh(D) antibody testing, and intervention with Rh(D) immunoglobulin, as appropriate, prevent...