1/93. A proven case of materno-foetal transfusion determined by cytogenetic and dna analysis. We report a case of materno-foetal transfusion in a phenotypically normal male foetus after death in utero at the 35th week of gestation. We have used cytogenetic and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) microsatellite analysis to determine the presence of maternal cells in foetal blood collected by intracardiac puncture. In the intracardiac blood sample, maternal cells were estimated to comprise between 5 and 10% of nucleated foetal blood cells. When there is a suspicion of foetal genetic pathology, it is necessary to be aware that the foetal blood karyotype may be misrepresentative, as the analysed blood cells can indeed be of maternal origin. ( info) |
2/93. Massive fetomaternal hemorrhage: how long should children with good evolution be controlled? A case report. We report on a term infant with a severe fetomaternal hemorrhage that caused a serious anemia that was surmounted after several transfusions. After the initial complications, such as persistent pulmonary circulation, severe anemia and thrombocytopenia, the outcome was good. We discuss the importance of a long-term follow-up of affected children, as well as their mothers. No clear parameters for a real prognosis are available. A follow-up is needed in order to detect possible complications in neurological development. ( info) |
3/93. Fetal complication after external cephalic version at term: case report and literature review. We report a case of fetal distress following external cephalic version at term, which resulted in delivery by emergency cesarean section of an anemic, acidemic infant. The characteristics of the fetal heart rate tracing, the clinical findings, and a positive Kleihauer-Betke test after delivery suggest that fetomaternal hemorrhage or placental abruption was the most likely cause of the fetal distress. We review the incidence of the reported fetal complications after external version. ( info) |
4/93. anemia due to massive chronic foetomaternal hemorrhage. We report a case of massive chronic foetomaternal hemorrhage. The labor course was uncomplicated. The newborn presented with pallor. tachypnea, and moderate hepatosplenomegaly. The initial hemoglobin was 6.5 g/dl. The Kleihauer-Betke stain on a maternal blood sample was 12%, which is equivalent to 540 ml of fetal blood in the maternal circulation. A clot in the umbilical vein was demonstrated sonographically. The possible association of foetomaternal hemorrhage with umbilical vein thrombosis is discussed. ( info) |
| Three cases of severe neonatal anemia due to fetomaternal transfusion are reported. The key features that lead to early diagnosis were the maternal history, fetal monitoring, the clinical and laboratory findings of anemia, and a negative coombs test. Diagnosis was confirmed by a rapid Kleihauer-Betke test. A partial exchange transfusion was performed in two of the three neonates with rapid clinical and hematological improvement. As two patients showed signs of heart decompensation, a partial exchange transfusion was performed with good success. In patients presenting with severe subacute or chronic anemia and heart failure, a partial exchange transfusion may be preferable to that of simple transfusion associated with diuretics. ( info) |
| We present here 2 cases of acute and 2 cases of chronic massive fetomaternal hemorrhage. A sinusoidal fetal heart rate pattern may indicate chronic fetomaternal hemorrhage, but, when increased variability is observed in fetal monitoring, maternal hemoglobin F should be measured to exclude acute fetomaternal hemorrhage. ( info) |
| 11 cases of massive feto-maternal hemorrhage (FMH) detected at the Leuven blood transfusion Center are described. Based on these case reports, a review is given of the various theoretical and practical problems related to this complication, e.g. the relative frequency of perinatal mortality and morbidity due to massive FMH, the causes and pathogenesis, the symptoms and diagnosis, the clinical varieties, and the pathophysiology as seen in the fetus and newborn. Finally, the indications for looking for large FMHs are described, and the therapeutic implications when this complication is discovered. ( info) |
8/93. Acute intrapartum fetoplacental transfusion in monochorionic twin pregnancy. BACKGROUND: The risk of antenatal fetofetal transfusion in monochorionic twin pregnancies has been noted, but possible acute intrapartum transfusion has not been studied extensively. Acute fetoplacental transfusion after the birth of the first twin can be disastrous to the second twin, so it deserves description. CASES: We present three cases of acute intrapartum fetoplacental transfusion after successful deliveries of first twins. After the births of their cotwins, the second twins rapidly deteriorated and were born severely hypovolemic and anemic. CONCLUSION: The risk of acute intrapartum transfusion should be kept in mind when planning delivery of monochorionic twins. ( info) |
9/93. An unusual concurrence of graft versus host disease caused by engraftment of maternal lymphocytes with DiGeorge anomaly. We describe a girl with DiGeorge anomaly and normal cytogenetic and molecular studies, whose clinical course was complicated by graft versus host disease caused by intrauterine materno-fetal transfusion, and several immunohematological alterations including a monoclonal gammapathy of undetermined significance (first IgG, which subsequently changed to IgM). The main clinical features and pathological findings are discussed. ( info) |
10/93. The importance of simple microscopy. A case of severe neonatal anaemia, the cause of which was found to be severe fetomaternal haemorrhage is presented. The diagnosis was confirmed by simple microscopic examination of the maternal blood using the technique of acid elution, the Kleihauer-Betke test. In the differential diagnosis of anaemia of a newborn, the diagnosis of fetomaternal haemorrhage must be considered and the simple Kleihauer-Betke test should be performed on the maternal blood as soon as possible. ( info) |