Massive Fetomaternal Hemorrhage Remote from Term: Favorable Outcome after Fetal Resuscitation and Conservative Management.

Fetomaternal hemorrhage (FMH) is a rare condition that requires early diagnosis and appropriate treatment due to its potentially severe consequences. We report a case of massive FMH presenting as decreased fetal movement, fetal hydrops, and intracranial hemorrhage at 24 weeks. Treatment considerations were made and amniocentesis, fetal blood sampling, and fetal blood transfusion via cordocentesis were performed. Recurrent FMH required subsequent fetal transfusion 2 days later. Surveillance was continued twice weekly until the patient delivered a viable infant at 38 weeks after spontaneous labor. Recurrent FMH was unpredictable due to its unclear etiology and absence of precipitating events, however close surveillance proved effective.

Evaluation of passage of fetal erythrocytes into maternal circulation after invasive obstetric procedures.

AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the passage of fetal erythrocytes into the maternal circulation after invasive obstetric procedures, using the Kleihauer-Betke test, flow cytometry and α-fetoprotein concentration in maternal blood. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a prospective descriptive study on patients who underwent: amniocentesis, cordocentesis, chorionic villus sample, amniotic infusion, bladder drainage and ventricular-amniotic shunt to investigate the karyotype; treatment for hydrocephalus, oligohydramnios, obstructive uropathy and polyhydramnios; and investigation of lung maturity. Maternal blood samples were collected before and 60 min after the invasive obstetric procedure in order to evaluate the passage of fetal erythrocytes using the Kleihauer-Betke test, flow cytometry and α-fetoprotein concentration. RESULTS: In total, 43 invasive obstetric procedures were performed. The procedures performed were: 27 cases of amniocentesis (62.7%), seven cases of cordocentesis (16.2%), four chorionic villus samples (9.4%), two amniotic infusions (4.7%), two ventricular-amniotic shunts and one bladder drainage (2.3%). After one case of cordocentesis with two puncture attempts via the placenta, a significant increase in fetal erythrocytes was detected using the three methods. After another cordocentesis with one puncture via the placenta, a significant increase in fetal erythrocytes was detected using flow cytometry and α-fetoprotein concentration, but not through the Kleihauer-Betke test. The other 41 samples did not show any significant increase in fetal erythrocytes in the maternal blood. CONCLUSION: Invasive obstetric procedures performed during prenatal care are safe when performed by experienced professionals with the proper technique, with minimal chance of passage of fetal erythrocytes into the maternal compartment.

Hemorragia fetomaterna masiva como causa de hidrops en gestación a término: reporte de caso y revisión de la literatura / Massive fetomaternal hemorrage cause hydrops in pregnancy at term: case report and literature revision

Objetivo: la hemorragia fetomaterna masiva es una complicación rara del embarazo, que puede causar anemia fetal severa y muerte fetal intrauterina. Se presenta un caso clínico con el objetivo de hacer una revisión de la fisiopatología del diagnóstico y del tratamiento Materiales y métodos: se presenta el caso clínico de una mujer en la semana 39 de embarazo, remitida al Hospital La Paz de Madrid, centro de referencia de atención materna y perinatal, por signos ecográficos de hidrops y de insuficiencia cardíaca derecha. El registro cardiotocográfico evidenció un patrón sinusoidal. La recién nacida presentó acidosis metabólica y anemia severa. El estudio anatomopatológico de la placenta fue sugestivo de anemia fetal crónica. El test de Kleihauer-Betke evidenció hemorragia fetomaterna de 90-100 ml. Se realizó una búsqueda bibliográfica en las bases de datos Medline vía Pubmed, EMBASE, LILACS y SciELO y la biblioteca Cochrane. Conclusión: el diagnóstico intrauterino es difícil, se debe sospechar cuando una mujer refiere reducción de movimientos fetales y cuando el registro cardiotocográfico muestra un patrón sinusoidal. En general, el estudio ecográfico es anodino, el Doppler de la arteria cerebral media puede ayudar en la identificación de los casos de anemia fetal, donde se evidencia un aumento del pico sistólico. Es importante la identificación precoz de los casos afectados para empezar un tratamiento sintomático de la anemia...

Objective: massive fetomaternal hemorrhage is a rarely occurring complication during pregnancy which can cause severe fetal anemia and intrauterine fetal death. A clinical case is presented here to review the pertinent pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment. Materials and methods: the case of a 39 weeks pregnant woman admitted to La Paz Hospital in Madrid is reported; this hospital is the center for perinatal and maternal attention. The patient was referred due to sonographic signs of hydrops and right heart failure. Cardiotocographic records showed a sinusoidal pattern. The newborn presented metabolic acidosis and severe anemia. Pathologic examination of the placenta was suggestive of chronic fetal anemia. The Kleihauer-Betke test revealed a 90-100 ml fetomaternal hemorrhage. A literature search was made in Medline via Pubmed, EMBASE, LILACS and SciELO and the Cochrane Library. Conclusion: intrauterine diagnosis is difficult; massive fetomaternal hemorrhage should be suspected when a woman refers to reduced fetal movements and when the record shows a sinusoidal pattern in cardiotocography. Ultrasound is usually bland and Doppler of the middle cerebral artery may help in identifying cases of fetal anemia, revealing an increased systolic peak. Such cases must be identified early on to start symptomatic treatment of anemia...