DOES PREECLAMPTIC PREGNANCY INCREASE FETAL-MATERNAL HEMORRHAGE

Since pathologic changes of the placenta have been found in preeclampt ic pregnancies, a relationship between fetal-maternal hemorrhage and p reeclampsia was investigated. Sixty-two women with singleton pregnanci es in the third trimester were studied. Thirty-one of these women with preeclampsia were matched with 31 normotensive healthy pregnant women . Maternal serum levels of alpha-fetoprotein (MSAFP) and Kleihauer-Bet ke (KB) test were determined to reflect the degree of fetal-maternal h emorrhage. There were no significant differences in MSAFP levels, MSAF P to creatinine ratio, or the appearance of fetal cells as measured by the KB test between preeclamptic pregnancies and matched controls. Ou r data do not suggest that fetal-maternal hemorrhage is increased in p regnant women with preeclampsia.