Rh disease: intravascular fetal blood transfusion by cordocentesis

A total of 130 cordocenteses, including 96 intravascular fetal blood transfusions, were performed in 21 pregnancies complicated by red cell isoimmunization. Transfusions were commended at 18-34 weeks' gestation and repeated up to 7 times, at 1- to 4-week intervals. The volumes of transfused blood were 5-150 ml, the haematocrits 62-88% and the rate of transfusions 1-15 ml/min. The pretransfusion fetal haematocrits were 5-34% and the posttransfusion ones 28-60%. Final transfusions were given at 32-36 weeks' gestation. Of the 21 pregnancies, 18 delivered at 31-39 weeks and 3 are continuing; 1 baby was stillborn and 17 are alive and well.