Plasma exchange in the management of severe rhesus haemolytic disease

Over a ten year period from 1977 to 1987, 30 mothers with severe rhesus haemolytic disease and expected fetal loss were treated by plasma exchange using a blood cell separator. All patients had at least on previous stillborn or neonatal death due to haemolytic disease of the newborn. Of the 30 patients, 19 pregnant women were successfully treated. Overall, 53% (16 babies) survived intact. Three of the deaths were due to causes other than erythroblastosis foetalis.