Alloimmune neonatal neutropenia linked to anti‐HNA‐4a

Abstract

This is a novel case report of alloimmune neonatal neutropenia (ANN) linked to the neutrophil antibody anti-HNA-4a (MART). Since its discovery, the HNA-4a antigen has never been associated with any clinical neutropenia. A first-born neonate with respiratory distress was found to be severely neutropenic, because of ANN. The broad reactivity of the antibody together with its capture by CD11b and CD18 in monoclonal antibody immobilization of granulocyte antigen test suggested HNA-4a specificity. DNA sequencing confirmed that the father is HNA-4a-positive and that the mother is HNA-4a-negative, supporting the diagnosis of ANN linked to MART.