Evidence map›Paper›PMID 32913362›Full record

SynthesisPloS one2020

Antenatal and postpartum prevention of Rh alloimmunization: A systematic review and GRADE analysis.

Candyce Hamel, Leila Esmaeilisaraji, Micere Thuku, Alan Michaud, Lindsey Sikora, Karen Fung-Kee-Fung

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in PloS one, 2020. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Rhesus testing and anti-D prophylaxis in RhD-negative women undergoing first-trimester abortion-Systematic Review and Opinion.International journal of gynaecology and obstetrics: the official organ of the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics · 2026
    Pooled it
  2. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Candyce HamelOttawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.ORCID 0000-0002-5871-2137
Leila EsmaeilisarajiOttawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
Micere ThukuOttawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
Alan MichaudOttawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
Lindsey SikoraHealth Sciences Library, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.ORCID 0000-0002-9715-8634
Karen Fung-Kee-FungDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundExisting systematic reviews of Rh immunoprophylaxis include only data from randomized controlled trials, have dated searches, and some do not report on all domains of risk of bias or evaluate the certainty of the evidence. Our objective was to perform an updated review, by including new trials, any comparative observational studies, and assessing the certainty of the evidence using the GRADE framework.

methodsWe searched MEDLINE, Embase and the Cochrane Library from 2000 to November 26, 2019. Relevant websites and bibliographies of systematic reviews and guidelines were searched for studies published before 2000. Outcomes of interest were sensitization and adverse events. Risk of bias was evaluated with the Cochrane tool and ROBINS-I. The certainty of the evidence was performed using the GRADE framework.

resultsThirteen randomized trials and eight comparative cohort studies were identified, evaluating 12 comparisons. Although there is some evidence of beneficial treatment effects (e.g., at 6-months postpartum, fewer women who received RhIg at delivery compared to no RhIg became sensitized [70 fewer sensitized women per 1,000 (95%CI: 67 to 71 fewer); I2 = 73%]), due to very low certainty of the evidence, the magnitude of the treatment effect may be overestimated. The certainty of the evidence was very low for most outcomes often due to high risk of bias (e.g., randomization method, allocation concealment, selective reporting) and imprecision (i.e., few events and small sample sizes). There is limited evidence on prophylaxis for invasive fetal procedures (e.g. amniocentesis) in the comparative literature, and few studies reported adverse events.

conclusionSerious risk of bias and low to very low certainty of the evidence is found in existing RCTs and comparative observational studies addressing optimal effectiveness of Rh immunoprophylaxis. Guideline development committees should exercise caution when assessing the strength of the recommendations that inform and influence clinical practice in this area.

Indexed as

FemaleGRADE ApproachHumansImmunologic FactorsPostnatal CarePregnancyPrenatal CareRandomized Controlled Trials as TopicRh-Hr Blood-Group SystemRh IsoimmunizationImmunologic FactorsRh-Hr Blood-Group System

Identifiers

PMID32913362
PMCPMC7482964

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.