FETOMATERNAL HEMORRHAGE DISCOVERED AFTER TRAUMA AND TREATED BY FETAL INTRAVASCULAR TRANSFUSION

Fetomaternal haemorrhage can occur spontaneously, or after abdominal t rauma. We describe a case of fetomaternal haemorrhage diagnosed at 27 weeks gestation after blunt trauma. The Kleihauer-Betke smear on admis sion and during the first week was positive, ranging between 3% and 5% . Cordocentesis revealed a fetal haemoglobin of 8.8 gm/dl. An intravas cular fetal transfusion was performed. The weeks until delivery and th e neonatal period were unremarkable. Fetal anaemia can be a serious co mplication of fetomaternal haemorrhage, however, intravascular fetal t ransfusion is an effective treatment when this occurs. The Kleihauer-B etke test should be performed in every patient with a history of abdom inal trauma during pregnancy. Copyright (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Irel and Ltd.