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Diagnosis and treatment of fetal anemia due to isoimmunization

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Abstract

45 pregnant women affected by rhesus incompatibility were treated at the Department of Prenatal Diagnosis and Therapy, Vienna, between-January 1992 and March 1993. 32 patients had a cordocentesis and on 21 fetuses, anemia requiring treatment was diagnosed. A total of 71 intravascular transfusions via the umbilical vein was given. The mean number of transfusions per fetus was 3.4 (range 1–11). Of the 7 fetuses who had already developed hydrops when therapy was started (hematocrit < 13%), 5 (71%) survived. The survival rate of non-hydropic anemic fetuses was 93% (13/14). By using intravascular transfusion for treatment of severe fetal anemia, a success rate of 86% (18/21) was achieved.

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Plöckinger, B., Strümpflen, I., Deutinger, J. et al. Diagnosis and treatment of fetal anemia due to isoimmunization. Arch Gynecol Obstet 255, 195–200 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02335085

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02335085

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