Maternal ABO Discrepancy Caused by Massive Fetomaternal Hemorrhage: a Case Report
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Background:
Fetomaternal hemorrhage (FMH) can lead to severe, life-threatening fetal anemia depending on the amount of blood loss. FMH may be underdiagnosed as it is not routinely tested. In our report, we present a rare case of obvious mixed-field agglutination of maternal ABO forward typing caused by massive fetomaternal hemorrhage.
Methods:
We retrospectively evaluated the clinical information of a 42-year-old pregnant woman who was admitted to our hospital at gestational week (GW) 36_5/7 due to fetal distress. She later delivered a male infant with severe anemia by cesarean section.
Results:
This case had an unusual maternal hemoglobin elevation before delivery and the maternal blood type identification showed ABO discrepancy. After other causes were excluded, FMH was suspected. The Kleihauer-Betke (K-B) test was done on the mother's blood, indicating a massive FMH.
Conclusions:
Massive FMH may be a cause of ABO discrepancy of pregnant woman. FMH should be considered when we get a result of a mixed-field agglutination of pregnant woman with other possible causes excluded.
