Fetomaternal haemorrhage discovered after trauma and treated by fetal intravascular transfusion

Abstract

Fetomaternal haemorrhage can occur spontaneously, or after abdominal trauma. We describe a case of fetomaternal haemorrhage diagnosed at 27 weeks gestation after blunt trauma. The Kleihauer-Betke smear on admission and during the first week was positive, ranging between 3% and 5%. Cordocentesis revealed a fetal haemoglobin of 8.8 gm/dl. An intravascular fetal transfusion was performed. The weeks until delivery and the neonatal period were unremarkable. Fetal anaemia can be a serious complication of fetomaternal haemorrhage, however, intravascular fetal transfusion is an effective treatment when this occurs. The Kleihauer-Betke test should be performed in every patient with a history of abdominal trauma during pregnancy.