Follow-up study of survivors after intra-uterine transfusion

Between 1965 and 1976 a total of 217 infants received intra-uterine transfusions. Perinatal and follow-up data are presented on the 81 survivors, of whom 62 per cent were over five years of age at final follow-up. Assessment included development and general health, audiometric testing and school performance. Abnormalities were found in 29 of the survivors. In 13 cases these were attributed to haemolytic disease, and all had some neurological deficit such as differing degrees of deafness. 10 others had slight abnormalities associated with the procedure of intra-uterine transfusion, while six had abnormalities not associated with either (spastic quadriplegia following infection, congenital heart disease and visual disorders). The remaining 52 children were normal. It is suggested that hyperbilirubinaemia is probably responsible for the neurological deficits.