Feto-maternal haemorrhage as a cause of fetal morbidity and mortality

Massive feto-maternal haemorrhage is a cause of significant fetal morbidity and mortality, but is often overlooked because screening for fetal erythrocytes in the maternal circulation has not been a routine procedure in stillbirths, fetal distress or neonatal anaemia; there are few recognized clinical symptoms or signs, or histopathological features. This report covers three cases. A screening blood test in the last month of pregnancy could be of value in detecting feto-maternal haemorrhage before irreversible damage to the fetus occurs.