Fetomaternal transfusion as a cause of severe fetal anemia causing early neonatal death: a case report.

ABSTRACT

Fetomaternal hemorrhage refers to the entry of fetal blood into the maternal circulation before or during delivery. Very small amount of fetal red cells are normally detectable in all pregnancies. Massive fetomaternal bleed is very rare and even rarer is the resultant severe anemia causing early neonatal death, despite an uneventful normal pregnancy until the end. Antenatal fetomaternal hemorrhage is a pathological condition with a wide spectrum of clinical variation. Secondary to the resultant anemia, fetomaternal hemorrhage may have devastating consequences for the fetus such as neurologic injury, stillbirth, or neonatal death. The Presentation is frequently without an evident precipitating factor. Recognition may become apparent only after injury has occurred, if at all. The most common antenatal presentation is decreased fetal activity and a heightened index of suspicion is warranted in cases of persistent maternal perception of decreased fetal movements.