Kell Antigens

I am doing some research on the Kell Antigens or antikell for my bestfriend. She is pregnate with her second child and was recently diganoised with the Kell Antigen. Neither her family or anyone else knows that this is, her doctor has given her some information but she is wanting to know a little more. If you have anything that can help me or some websites I would really appreciate it. Thanks.

[Elaine Brown, MD]

Hi!
Nice of you to check this out for your friend!
I am going to assume that she was diagnosed as having a Kell antibody on her first prenatal visit?  Antibody screens are usually checked then and often again at 28 weeks.
Kell is an acquired antigen--which means you can get it from something like a blood transfusion.
The first thing to check is to see whether the father has the Kell antigen.  The antigen is very rare, so most likely he doesn't. Did they ask your friend's partner to have blood drawn?
If he is negative there is no cause for alarm and no reason to do anything else.  

If he is positive then the next step is to find out if the baby has the Kell antigen (inherited from his father).  If the baby does. then the mother's antibody can attack the baby's cells, so lots more testing will be in order.

I'll bet you could find out more information at the ACOG.org website.
American College of Ob/Gyn. Try looking up Kell Antibody at that site!

In most cases this turns out to be no cause for alarm, so don't worry until all the tests are done.

Good luck!

Dr B

[Limarie]

Hi!

I too have been through the whole Kell thing!!  I went through 4 months of pure hell. But my baby did survive and he is a happy healthy 9 year old boy now. The only problem that he has is that he has asthma now. I would be happy to give you more info if you would like. Please let me know. My story is way too long to type here.

Wishing your friend all my best!!!!
Lisa