Korean J Perinatol.  2004 Jun;15(2):172-173.

Two Cases of Severe Neonatal Anemia associated with Massive Feto-Maternal Hemorrhage

• Song ES
• Kim KH
• Kim SY
• Park CH
• Choi YY

Abstract

Feto-maternal hemorrhage, the presence of fetal red blood cells in the maternal circulation, occurs in up to 75% of pregnancies. But its volume is usually very small. Feto-maternal hemorrhage of more than 30 ml of whole blood is relatively rare. The key features that lead to early diagnosis are the maternal history, fetal monitoring, the clinical and laboratory findings of anemia and a negative Coombs' test. Diagnosis is confirmed by Kleihauer-Betke test. Perinatal problems include fetal distress, neonatal anemia, hypovolemic shock, and death. The fetal outcome depends on the amount and rate of bleeding. The initial hemoglobin level was a better predictor than the volume of bleeding. We present two cases of severe neonatal anemia associated with massive feto-maternal hemorrhage, which was confirmed by Kleihauer-Betke test.

Keyword

Feto-maternal hemorrhage; Kleihauer-Betke test

MeSH Terms

Pregnancy
Female
Infant, Newborn
Humans