Sensorineural outcome at 2 years for survivors of erythroblastosis treated with fetal intravascular transfusions

To determine the sensorineural outcome at 2 years of age in a complete cohort of survivors of fetal intravascular transfusions.

From March 1984 to May 1990, 38 of 52 consecutive fetuses (73%) suffering from severe erythroblastosis survived attempted intravascular transfusions at the Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne. At 2 years of age, corrected for prematurity where appropriate, the survivors had a psychological assessment, including the mental developmental index of the Bayley scales, and a standardized neurodevelopmental examination.

Only one transfused child had a severe sensorineural disability, with severe developmental delay and multiple minor motor seizures. Another child was moderately disabled with spastic hemiplegia. In neither case were complications of an intravascular transfusion the likely explanation for the disability. Only one other child had a mental developmental index in the suspect range. The remaining 35 children (92.1%) had no sensorineural disability. The overall rate of sensorineural impairments and disabilities was lower in the group transfused than in previous reports of survivors of intraperitoneal transfusions. The mean mental developmental index was significantly higher in the transfused group than in a control group of normal birth weight children.

Children who survive fetal intravascular transfusions compare favorably not only with other high-risk survivors, but also with low-risk children.