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Fetal splenic rupture following transfusion.
P W Whitecar1, N D Depcik-Smith, R A Strauss
1Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 214 MacNider Building, CB#7516, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7516, USA. paul_whitecar@med.unc.edu
Obstetrics and Gynecology
|May 5, 2001
Summary
Fetal splenic rupture is a rare complication of hemolytic disease of the newborn. Increased abdominal pressure during intrauterine transfusions may precipitate this event in fetuses with splenomegaly.
Area of Science:
- Perinatology
- Fetal Medicine
- Neonatal Pathology
Background:
- Splenic rupture is an uncommon complication in erythroblastosis fetalis.
- No prior reports exist of splenic rupture in fetuses with hemolytic disease of the newborn.
Observation:
- A fetus with severe rhesus alloimmunization experienced fetal death after four intrauterine transfusions.
- Autopsy revealed intra-abdominal clotted blood and splenic capsular defects, indicating splenic rupture.
Findings:
- Fetal splenic rupture can occur in cases of hemolytic disease of the newborn.
- Splenomegaly in the fetus is a potential contributing factor.
Implications:
- Acute hemodynamic shifts and elevated intra-abdominal pressure during intrauterine transfusions may trigger fetal splenic rupture.
- This finding expands the understanding of potential fetal complications in hemolytic disease.