MASSIVE FETOMATERNAL HEMORRHAGE

We evaluated the potential prognostic factors for fetomaternal hemorrh age (FMH). Sinusoidal heart rate pattern and decrease in fetal movemen t are considered important signs of FMH. However these findings were d etected in only two of six cases of FMH and were thought to be late si gns of FMH. Fetal hemoglobin levels in the maternal circulation for in fants born alive following FMH were less than 5%. Our findings suggest that this amount of blood loss could cause fetal death.