The NHS is failing to provide routine treatment to prevent unborn children from developing a life-threatening condition called rhesus haemolytic disease of the foetus and newborn (rhesus disease), a study has found.
The condition occurs when a mother and her unborn child have incompatible blood groups, meaning that all pregnant women with rhesus-negative blood should be offered anti-D injections to ensure her baby's blood cells are not destroyed.
However, research published in BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology suggests that many women do not receive these important injections at the right times.
Researchers looked at records from 1996 to 2011, during which time there were 1,211 errors, 72.5 of which were clinical mistakes.
The study revealed a steady annual increase in reports of errors over the 15-year period, with half of errors due to omission or late administration of injections.
There were also 280 cases in which women with rhesus-positive blood were wrongly given anti-D injections.
Nine babies suffered full-blown rhesus disease as a result of errors, with one dying and three requiring blood transfusions.
Study co-author Dr Paula Bolton-Maggs, from the University of Manchester, said: 'These are clinically significant problems that require active attention at a national and local level as reported errors could be avoided by putting in place appropriate checks.'
Louise Silverton, director for midwifery at the Royal College of Midwives, welcomed the report and said that all maternity units should have systems in place to ensure all women receive anti-D injections as required.