Changes in the management of severely Rh-immunized patients

Since July 1, 1978, we have instituted the following changes in the management of severely Rh-immunized patients: (1) serial amniotic fluid optical density (delta OD450 ) values and real-time ultrasound scanning beginning at 21 weeks' gestation, (2) fetal transfusions as early as the twenty-third week, (3) ultrasound surveillance during and after intrauterine transfusions, and (4) planned premature delivery with neonatal exchange transfusions for selected cases between 29 to 32 weeks and for all patients after 32 weeks' gestation. The perinatal survival rate (83.8%) in 37 isoimmunized pregnancies managed with this regimen was significantly higher (p less than 0.05) than in 34 such pregnancies (55.9%) managed according to the protocol utilized during the previous four years.