Multiple intrauterine transfusions for fetal Rh hemolytic disease: a case report / 中华围产医学杂志

This study reported the outcome of a case of fetal hemolytic disease after multiple intrauterine transfusions due to Rh incompatibility between the mother and fetus. The pregnant women had a history of termination for fetal edema at 29 weeks of gestation due to undecided reason as no relevant tests were conducted. Fetal edema was found and hemolytic disease (severe anemia) was diagnosed at 24 gestational weeks in the index pregnancy. After five intrauterine transfusions, fetal edema and anemia were improved. The baby who was born by cesarean section at 33 gestational weeks, was diagnosed with hemolytic disease and transferred to the neonatology department. After one month of treatment, the baby was improved and discharged. Whereafter he was followed up to one year of age without any abnormality in physical or mental development.

Multiple intrauterine transfusions for fetal Rh hemolytic disease: a case report / 中华围产医学杂志

This study reported the outcome of a case of fetal hemolytic disease after multiple intrauterine transfusions due to Rh incompatibility between the mother and fetus. The pregnant women had a history of termination for fetal edema at 29 weeks of gestation due to undecided reason as no relevant tests were conducted. Fetal edema was found and hemolytic disease (severe anemia) was diagnosed at 24 gestational weeks in the index pregnancy. After five intrauterine transfusions, fetal edema and anemia were improved. The baby who was born by cesarean section at 33 gestational weeks, was diagnosed with hemolytic disease and transferred to the neonatology department. After one month of treatment, the baby was improved and discharged. Whereafter he was followed up to one year of age without any abnormality in physical or mental development.

Advances in perioperative management of intrauterine blood transfusion / 中华围产医学杂志

With the fast development of fetal medicine in China,intrauterine transfusion,which is regarded as an effective treatment in certain conditions,has attracted more and more attention.In addition to the common seen red blood cell alloimmunization,the indications of intrauterine transfusion include parvovirus B 19 infection,maternal-fetal blood transfusion syndrome,twin anemia-polycythemia sequence,placental chorionic hemangiomas and fetal sacrococcygeal teratomas.The recommended approach for intrauterine transfusion is umbilical vein or intraperitoneal transfusion depending on the gestational age,placental location,and presence of absence of fetal edema.However,umbilical artery and intracardiac transfusion are not recommended.In order to reduce the complications of intrauterine transfusion,routine fetal analgesia,avoidance of umbilical artery puncture and prior use ofintrahepatic umbilical vein transfusion are recommended.Fetal middle cerebral arterypeak systolic velocity (MCA-PSV) ＞1.5 multiple of median (MOM) and 1.69 MOM can be a good indicators for the first and second intrauterine transfusions,respectively.For the third and subsequent transfusions,the rate of fetal hemoglobin decline is recommended to predict the timing of transfusion.

Intrauterine transfusion for fetal hemolytic disease caused by erythrocyte alloimmunization: a retrospective study / 中华围产医学杂志

Objective To investigate the outcomes of fetuses with hemolytic anemia caused by red cell alloimmunization following intrauterine transfusion (IUT),and to analyze the influence of hydrops fetalis on IUT treatment.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 70 fetuses,who were admitted to the Fetal Medicine Center,the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from January 2005 to May 2018,with hemolytic disease requiring IUT.Clinical data of the fetuses and the gravidas were collected and divided into hydrops group (17 cases) and non-hydrops group (53 cases) based on their conditions before IUT.Results of routine blood tests before and after the first IUT,gestational age at the first IUT,prognosis and outcomes of the fetuses were compared between two groups.t-test,rank-sum test,Chi-square test (or Fisher's exact test) and multivariant logistic regression analysis were used for data analysis.Results Totally,the 70 fetuses underwent 231 times of IUT.Compared with the non-hydrops group,the hydrops group had a significantly increased incidence of severe anemia [14/17 vs 47.2％ (25/53),x2=6.458,P=0.011],but decreased hemoglobin [(38.5 ± 21.4) vs (68.7± 19.3) g/L,t=5.471,P＜0.001] and hematocrit level [0.110 (0.044-0.246) vs 0.222 (0.077-0.299),Z=-4.390,P＜0.001] before the first IUT.After the IUT,the survival rate of the fetuses in hydrops group was significantly lower than that of the non-hydrops group [11/15 vs 94.3％ (50/53),P=0.038].There was no significant difference in gestational age at birth,birth weight,neonatal hemoglobin level at birth,the incidence of exchange transfusion,the number of blood transfusions required or the incidence of severe neonatal complication between the two groups (all P＞0.05).Logistic regression analysis indicated that the fetal hydrops was an independent risk factor for fetal survival (OR=12.8,95％CI:1.2-136.4,P=0.035).Conclusions Hydrops fetalis might reduce the survival rate of fetal hemolytic disease after 1UT.

Síndrome de Transfusión Feto Fetal / Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome

RESUMEN El Síndrome de Transfusión Feto Fetal es una de las complicaciones más severas de los embarazos múltiples que amerita seguimiento estricto y tratamiento oportuno según las características de la patología en cada caso. Esta patología se presenta como una condición de fetos productos de embarazo múltiple monocorial, quienes tienen genotipos idénticos pero adoptan fenotipos cardiovasculares discordantes a consecuencia del desequilibrio en el flujo; esto debido a las múltiples anastomosis placentarias que suelen desarrollarse entre los fetos. Expertos en perinatología han abordado el tema y han postulado diversas alternativas diagnósticas y terapéuticas, por lo cual es fundamental conocer las consideraciones para abordar pacientes con dicha entidad patológica y brindar consulta oportuna a las madres afectadas. A continuación se presenta una revisión de la literatura acerca del Síndrome de Transfusión Feto Fetal enfocado hacia las características de presentación, reseñas epidemiológicas, criterios y métodos diagnósticos así como las alternativas terapéuticas desarrolladas para la disminución y manejo de las complicaciones. MÉD.UIS. 2016;29(3):61-71.

ABSTRACT Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome is one of the most serious complications on multiple pregnancy which deserves a strict monitoring and appropriated treatment according to the characteristics of the pathology in each case presented. This pathology is presented as a condition in foetus from multiple monchorionic pregnancies which have identical genotypes, but they adopt discordant cardiovascular phenotypes as a consequence of the disorder in the discharge due to multiple placental anastomoses usually developed between the foetuses. Perinatology experts have approached this topic and they have postulated different diagnostic and therapeutic alternatives, so it is fundamental to know the considerations to aboard patients with the above mentioned clinical condition and provide a timely consultation to the affected mothers. Below, it is presented a revision on different literature about Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome focused on the characteristics of its presentation, epidemiological reviews, criteria and methods of diagnosis as well as the therapeutic alternatives developed for the management of its complications and a summary of progress regarding post intervention prospective studies which demonstrate progress in terms of survival and neurological involvement in the twin survivors. MÉD.UIS. 2016;29(3):61-71.

Cálculo do volume de sangue necessário para a correção da anemia fetal em gestantes isoimunizadas / Blood volume calculation required for the correction of fetal anemia in pregnant women with alloimmunization

OBJETIVO: obter uma equação capaz de estimar o volume de concentrado de hemácias a ser infundido para correção da anemia em fetos de gestantes portadoras de isoimunização pelo fator Rh, baseado em parâmetros alcançados durante a cordocentese prévia à transfusão intra-uterina. MÉTODOS: em estudo transversal, foram analisadas 89 transfusões intra-uterinas para correção de anemia em 48 fetos acompanhados no Centro de Medicina Fetal do Hospital das Clínicas da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. A idade gestacional mediana, no momento da cordocentese, foi de 29 semanas e a média de procedimentos por feto foi de 2,1. A hemoglobina fetal foi dosada antes e após a cordocentese, sendo verificado o volume de concentrado de hemácias transfundido. Para determinação de uma fórmula para estimar o volume sanguíneo necessário para correção da anemia fetal, tomou-se como base o volume necessário para elevar em 1 g por cento a hemoglobina fetal (diferença entre a concentração de hemoglobina final e a inicial, dividida pelo volume transfundido) e o volume de quanto seria necessário para se atingir 14 g por cento, em análise de regressão múltipla. RESULTADOS: a concentração da hemoglobina pré-transfusional variou entre 2,3 e 15,7 g por cento. A prevalência de anemia fetal (Hb<10 g por cento) foi de 52 por cento. A equação de regressão obtida para determinação do volume de sangue necessário para alcançar a concentração de Hb de 14 g por cento foi: volume para transfusão (mL)=18,2 - 13,4 x hemoglobina pré-transfusão intra-uterina + 6,0 x idade gestacional em semanas. Está fórmula foi estatisticamente significativa (p<0,0001). CONCLUSÕES: o estudo mostrou que é possível estimar o volume transfusional necessário para correção da anemia fetal, baseando-se em parâmetros de fácil obtenção: idade gestacional e valor da hemoglobina pré-transfusional.

PURPOSE: to obtain an equation to estimate the volume of red blood cells concentrate to be infused to correct anemia in fetuses of pregnant women with Rh factor isoimmunization, based in parameters obtained along the cordocentesis previous to intrauterine transfusion. METHODS: a transversal study analyzing 89 intrauterine transfusions to correct anemia in 48 fetuses followed-up in the Centro de Medicina Fetal do Hospital das Clínicas da Universidade de Minas Gerais. The median gestational age at the cordocentesis was 29 weeks and the average number of procedures was 2.1. Fetal hemoglobin was assayed before and after cordocentesis, leading to the volume of transfused red blood cells concentrate. The determination of an equation to estimate the blood volume necessary to correct the fetal anemia was based in the blood volume necessary to raise the fetal hemoglobin in 1 g percent (the difference between the final and the initial hemoglobin concentration divided by the transfused volume) and in the volume of the amount necessary to reach 14 g percent, in the multiple regression analysis. RESULTS: the concentration of pre-transfusion hemoglobin varied between 2.3 and 15.7 g percent. The prevalence of fetal anemia (Hb<10 g percent) was 52 percent. The regression equation obtained in the determination of blood volume necessary to reach the concentration of 14 g percent of Hb was: transfusion volume (mL)=18.2 - 13.4 x pre- intrauterine transfusion hemoglobin + 6.0 x gestational age in weeks. This equation was statistically significant (p<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: the study has shown that it is possible to estimate the transfusion volume necessary to correct fetal anemia, based on easily obtainable parameters: gestational age and level of pre-transfusion hemoglobin.

Enfermedad hemolítica perinatal / Perinatal hemolytic disease

La enfermedad hemolítica perinatal (EHPN) es una afección inmunológica aloinmune contra antígenos de origen paterno presentes en los hematíes fetales y del recién nacido. Se han reportado numerosos aloanticuerpos dirigidos contra antígenos eritrocitarios como causa de la EHPN, más frecuentemente los del sistema ABO y Rh. La EHPN por el sistema Rh (EHPN-Rh) suele ser severa, en particular por el antígeno D. Es muy común encontrar el anti-D asociado con otros anticuerpos Rh (C, E, de título menor). El anticuerpo anti-c por sí solo puede producir EHPN severa. Los avances en la prevención de la inmunización por el antígeno D han disminuido la incidencia de esta enfermedad. La EHPN por ABO (EHPN-ABO) ha sido siempre más frecuente, pero su relación con muerte fetal o neonatal es menor que la de la EHPN-Rh. En este tipo de EHPN los anticuerpos están preformados. Las subclases de IgG, predominantes en esta enfermedad son las IgG1 y las IgG3. A la luz de los conocimientos actuales, el diagnóstico de esta enfermedad puede efectuarse precozmente, es posible incluso hacerlo antes del nacimiento e indicar la transfusión fetal intrauterina como método de salvamento de los fetos con hematócritos (Hto) menores o iguales al 30 %. En los recién nacidos se emplean la fototerapia y la exanguinotransfusión para disminuir los niveles séricos de bilirrubina producida por la hemólisis y evitar el kerníctero. Siempre que se sospeche la enfermedad deberá actuarse con rapidez y precisar los anticuerpos involucrados, para de esta forma disminuir su incidencia y morbimortalidad.

The perinatal hemolytic disease (PHD) is an alloimmune immunological affection against those antigens of paternal origin that are present in the erythrocytes of the fetus and the newborn infant. Several alloantibodies directed against erythrocytic antigens have been reported as the cause of PHD. The most frequently reported are those of the ABO and Rh systems. The PHD caused by the Rh system is usually severe, particularly that produced by the antigen D. It is very common to find the anti-D associated with other Rh antibodies (C,E, of lower titer).The anti-c antibody may produce severe PHD by itself. The advances in the prevention of immunization by D antigen have reduced the incidende of this disease. The PHD caused by ABO has always been more frequent, but its relationship with fetal or neonatal death is lower than that of PHD-Rh. In this type of PHD the antibodies are preformed. The IgG subclasses predominating in this disease are IgG1 and IgG3. In the light of the present knowledge, the diagnosis of this disease may be made early. It is possible to make it even before birth and to indicate the intrauterine fetal transfusion as a method for saving the fetuses with hematocrites lower or equal to 30%. The phototherapy and the exchange transfusion are used among the newborn infants to reduce the serum levels of bilirubin produced by hemolysis and to prevent kernicterus. As long as the disease is suspected it is necessary to act quickly and to determine the involved antibodies in order to reduce its incidence and morbimortality.