Massive fetomaternal hemorrhage treated with serial combined intravascular and intraperitoneal fetal transfusions

One of the many causes of fetal hydrops is fetomaternal hemorrhage. This report presents a pregnancy with fetomaternal hemorrhage that was treated with serial combined intravascular and intraperitoneal fetal transfusions, resulting in a good outcome. A 26-year-old woman seen for ultrasonographic evaluation was found to have a fetus with hydrops fetalis. Fetal blood sampling demonstrated severe fetal anemia (hematocrit 16.4%). The initial Kleihauer-Betke test result on maternal blood was 6% fetal cells. The fetus was transfused five times over a 24-day period by means of a combined intravascular and intraperitoneal route. The fetus also received one platelet transfusion for thrombocytopenia. The pregnancy resulted in a good fetal outcome without the need for postpartum transfusion. This case represents successful treatment of fetal anemia and nonimmune hydrops with a serial combined intravascular and intraperitoneal transfusion technique.