The Prevention of Rh Disease of Newborns in Pakistan

NCT ID: NCT03297671

Last Updated: 2020-07-09

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Total Enrollment: 1654 participants
• Study Classification: OBSERVATIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2018-06-27
• Study Completion Date: 2020-02-28

Brief Summary

The investigators aim to demonstrate the feasibility of point-of-care identification of Rh-negative women in a poor, rural setting in Pakistan. Feasibility will be assessed across 2 major domains: 1) acceptance by pregnant women to receive the point-of-care test; and, 2) ability of health workers to administer the point of care test and interpret results. The investigators will also measure whether RhIg prophylaxis can be successfully delivered and is accepted by pregnant women in this setting. The socio-demographic correlates of the acceptance of point-of-care testing and where applicable, the acceptance of RhIg prophylaxis will also be assessed. In addition, the investigators will also explore the baseline knowledge of Rh disease among pregnant women and lady health visitors in this study population and will investigate socio-demographic correlates of baseline knowledge and the uptake of knowledge among pregnant women. Finally, the prevalence of Rh negativity will be calculated and stillbirth and neonatal mortality will be tracked among all participants. All stillbirths and neonatal deaths in this population will be characterized with respect to cause and Rh-negativity.

Detailed Description

Rhesus (Rh) disease is a preventable condition caused by an incompatibility between maternal and fetal red blood cells (RBCs). If a person's RBCs lacks a certain protein s/he is said to be Rh-negative. Similarly, if a person's RBCs have that same protein, s/he is said to be Rh-positive. If a pregnant woman's is Rh-negative and her fetus is Rh-positive, the baby is at risk of Rh disease. The complications associated with Rh disease include miscarriage, stillbirth, and neonatal death. Among surviving newborns, Rh disease can cause anemia (low RBCs, which can appear as feeling tired or weak or having a shortness of breath), jaundice (yellowing of the skin), and brain damage. If Rh-negative women are identified, there is a very high chance that Rh disease of the newborn can be prevented.

The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the feasibility of point-of-care identification of Rh-negative women in Dadu district, Pakistan. Determining the Rh status of pregnant women is the first step towards prevention of Rh disease of the newborn. By collecting information about a) the Rh status and blood type of pregnant women; b) the acceptability of a point of care test blood test of Rh disease; and, c) the acceptability of treatment for Rh negativity in pregnant women, the investigators will be able to improve antenatal care and prevent Rh disease of the newborn in rural settings. The implementation of a point-of-care Rh test will allow us for the identification of Rh-negative women, prompt provision of treatment, and prevention of Rh disease of the newborn in rural settings in Pakistan.

As part of this study, participants will be asked a series of questions to assess reproductive history of pregnant women and other demographic characteristics (i.e. questions about home environment and lifestyle). The investigators will also ask whether they are willing to provide a drop of blood, collected via finger prick, to allow us to determine your Rh status by ELDONCARD. If Rh test reveals that the pregnant women are Rh negative, the investigators will offer them up to two doses of treatment, first at approximately 28 weeks of gestation and again within 72 hours of delivery. The injections will be administered at the health facility. They will also be asked to undergo an ultrasound procedure by a trained technician at health facility. Moreover, after the newborn is delivered, the investigators will also ask a series of question and perform an in-person assessment of newborn to assess their health within 72 hours of delivery and then again on their 29th day of life. If they are found to be Rh-negative and they have a miscarriage, stillbirth, or baby dies within the first month of life, the investigators will ask them if we can collect a sample of their blood for further testing.

The investigators will conduct a prospective cohort study in Tehsil Headquarter Hospital (THQ) and District Headquarter Hospital (DHQ) that are situated in Dadu District, Sindh, Pakistan. In total, between 3 and 5 Lady Health Visitors (LHVs) will be enrolled at the study THQ and DHQ to administer the point-of-care test and if necessary, prophylaxis. Over the course of the study period, approximately 2000 pregnant women will be enrolled in total (across both study sites); liveborn newborns delivered to enrolled pregnant women will be followed for the first month of life. The sample size of 2000 pregnant women in this study is driven by the estimated prevalence of Rh negativity in the population (7%) and hence, the number of women investigators expect to offer two injections of RhIg (n=140). A sample size of 140 participants will enable us to measure the acceptance RhIg by pregnant women.

This prospective cohort will include two groups of participants: a) between 3 and 5 LHVs who are full time employees at THQ Johi and DHQ Dadu and, b) 2000 pregnant women from the communities in the catchment area of THQ Johi and DHQ Dadu.

To address one of our study aims, a single questionnaire will be administered to a cadre of approximately 30 health professionals (i.e., physicians, lady health visitors, nurses, etc.) who are not otherwise engaged in study activities.

Conditions

Rhesus Disease; Anti-D (Rh) Antibodies Affecting Care of Mother

Study Design

• Observational Model Type: COHORT
• Study Time Perspective: PROSPECTIVE

Study Groups

Pregnant Women

2000 pregnant women from the communities in the catchment area of THQ Johi and DHQ Dadu. Rh negative women will receive two RhIg prophylaxis injections.

RhIg prophylaxis

Intervention Type: DRUG

Two RhIg prophylaxis injections for Rh negative women

ELDONCARD

Intervention Type: DEVICE

ELDONCARD point-of-care test.

ELDONCARD Test

Intervention Type: DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

LHVs will perform ELDONCARD test.

Lady Health Visitors (LHVs)

3-5 LHVs who are full time employees at THQ Johi and DHQ Dadu. LHVs will perform ELDONCARD test and provide RhIg prophylaxis injections.

RhIg prophylaxis

Intervention Type: DRUG

Two RhIg prophylaxis injections for Rh negative women

ELDONCARD

Intervention Type: DEVICE

ELDONCARD point-of-care test.

ELDONCARD Test

Intervention Type: DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

LHVs will perform ELDONCARD test.

Interventions

RhIg prophylaxis

Two RhIg prophylaxis injections for Rh negative women

Intervention Type: DRUG

ELDONCARD

ELDONCARD point-of-care test.

Intervention Type: DEVICE

ELDONCARD Test

LHVs will perform ELDONCARD test.

Intervention Type: DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Other Intervention Names

Training on Rh disease

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• Pregnant women who present to THQ Johi and DHQ Dadu for ANC
• At least 13 weeks gestation (assessed using self-reported first day of last menstrual period)
• Currently resides within one of 5 Union Council's surrounding THQ Johi and in the catchment area of DHQ Dadu at a fixed address
• Intends to deliver and remain in study catchment area for 1-month after the delivery of their newborn(s)
• Provides written informed consent
• Was not previously enrolled in this study during a different pregnancy

• Working full-time at THQ Johi and DHQ Dadu as a Lady Health Visitor
• Verbal consent provided from LHV's direct supervisor
• LHV provides verbal consent to complete a test on baseline knowledge of Rh disease and jaundice
• LHV can attend a 1 day training and orientation session
• LHV provides written informed consent to participate in study

Exclusion Criteria

• Previously consented into this study
• Reported that they previously had an anaphylactic reaction to an injection of an antibody blood product
• Has any chronic disease related to the heart, liver, kidney, or lungs
• Does not currently reside within the study's catchment area
• Intends to deliver outside of the catchment area
• Plans to relocate outside of the catchment area within 1-month after the delivery of their newborn(s)
• Does not provide written consent

• Verbal consent not provided from LHV's direct supervisor
• Does not consent to completing a test on baseline knowledge of Rh disease and jaundice
• Cannot attend a 1 day training and orientation session
• Does not provide written informed consent to participate in study

Non-study health care professional recruitment

A convenience sample of approximately 30 health care professionals including physicians, LHVs, nurses, lady health workers, and midwives, who are not otherwise engaged in study activities will be identified and approached at THQ Johi, DHQ Dadu, and other surrounding health care facilities. To be eligible for participation, health care professionals must not be employed by the study or enrolled in the study as a participant. If health care professionals are determined eligible, they will be asked to complete a short questionnaire to assess their knowledge of Rh disease, similar to the questionnaire administered to LHVs. These health care professionals will not be enrolled into the study or followed prospectively and thus, only verbal consent will be obtained.

• Minimum Eligible Age: 15 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 49 Years
• Eligible Sex: FEMALE
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Sponsors

The Hospital for Sick Children

OTHER

Sponsor Role: collaborator

Grand Challenges Canada

OTHER

Sponsor Role: collaborator

Aga Khan University

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Dr Sajid Bashir Soofi

Associate Professor

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

Sajid B Soofi, FCPS

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Aga Khan University

Gul N Khan, MPH

Role: STUDY_DIRECTOR

Aga Khan University

Shaun Morris, MPH

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Hospital for Sick-kids Canada

Shabina Ariff, FCPS

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Aga Khan University

Sidrah Nausheen, FCPS

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Aga Khan University

Lisa Pell, PhD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Hospital for Sick-kids Canada

Alvin Zipursky, MD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Eldon Biologicals A/S

Locations

Taluka Headquarter Hospital Johi and District Headquarter Hospital Dadu

Goth Dado, Sindh, Pakistan

Countries

Pakistan

References

Zipursky A, Bhutani VK. Impact of Rhesus disease on the global problem of bilirubin-induced neurologic dysfunction. Semin Fetal Neonatal Med. 2015 Feb;20(1):2-5. doi: 10.1016/j.siny.2014.12.001. Epub 2015 Jan 9.

Reference Type: RESULT

PMID: 25582277 (View on PubMed)

Fung Kee Fung K, Eason E, Crane J, Armson A, De La Ronde S, Farine D, Keenan-Lindsay L, Leduc L, Reid GJ, Aerde JV, Wilson RD, Davies G, Desilets VA, Summers A, Wyatt P, Young DC; Maternal-Fetal Medicine Committee, Genetics Committee. Prevention of Rh alloimmunization. J Obstet Gynaecol Can. 2003 Sep;25(9):765-73. doi: 10.1016/s1701-2163(16)31006-4.

Reference Type: RESULT

PMID: 12970812 (View on PubMed)

ELDON K. Simultaneous ABO and Rh groupings on cards in the laboratory or at the bedside. Dan Med Bull. 1955 Mar;2(2):33-40. No abstract available.

Reference Type: RESULT

PMID: 14379729 (View on PubMed)

Biologicals, E. Clinical Evidence - Comparative Study of EldonCards. 2012

Reference Type: RESULT

Zipursky A, Paul VK. The global burden of Rh disease. Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed. 2011 Mar;96(2):F84-5. doi: 10.1136/adc.2009.181172. Epub 2010 Oct 30. No abstract available.

Reference Type: RESULT

PMID: 21037283 (View on PubMed)

World Health Organization, U., Handbook IMCI. Integrated Management of Childhood Illness. 2005.

Reference Type: RESULT

Other Identifiers

Rh Study

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id