[Detection during pregnancy of massive fetomaternal transfusion. A life saved by adherence to a protocol]. / Dépistage en cours de grossesse d'une hémorragie foeto-maternelle massive. Une vie sauvée par un protocole.

A case of massive feto-maternal haemorrhage which was discovered by chance in the 34th week of pregnancy is described in detail. This case is characterised by: total absence of clinical, electrical and echographic abnormalities, a part from the fetus being very anaemic; the saving of the very anaemic newborn baby because of the performance of caesarean section; although the pregnant woman was Rh negative, giving her large doses of IgG and anti-D prophylactically seems to have protected her from Rh immunisation. The authors conclude with the special value that they have found using the Kleihauer test. This is a simple, reproducible, low-cost laboratory examination. They suggest that it should be used mainly in the last third of pregnancy and may be even routinely.