Severe neonatal anemia due to massive transplacental hemorrhage

Pregnancy outcome and fetomaternal hemorrhage after noncatastrophic trauma

Two hundred five consecutive cases of noncatastrophic trauma occurring during the second half of pregnancy were evaluated prospectively. Pregnancy complications as a result of trauma occurred in 18 of 205 patients (8.8%): premature labor (n = 10), placental separation (n = 5), fetal injury (n = 1), and fetal death (n = 2). Multiple regression analysis of the data base showed obstetric findings (contractions, uterine tenderness, and bleeding) on presentation to be highly associated with complications (17/88; 19.3%). In their absence complications were rare (1/117; 0.9%). Detectable fetomaternal hemorrhage was significantly more common in trauma patients (18/205) than in control subjects (2/110) (p less than 0.01), but its role in managing trauma patients was limited to detection of rare massive hemorrhage (1/205) and detection of rare hemorrhage exceeding that covered by the standard Rho (D) immune globulin dose (2/205). Fetomaternal hemorrhage need not be quantitated in patients who lack obstetric findings on presentation. Despite rare reports of delayed abruptio placentae, it is doubtful that prolonged observation (greater than 2 to 3 hours) in the hospital is necessary in patients who lack obstetric findings on initial presentation.

Massive chronic feto-maternal bleeding associated with placental chorioangiomas

After pregnancy complicated by polyhydramnios and the antenatal discovery of a very large placenta a newborn infant suffered from anemia, thrombocytopenia and hypoproteinemic edema, and was successfully treated by exchange transfusion. The placenta contained two chorioangiomas and there was diffuse placental hypertrophy with edema and patchy chorioangiomatosis. There was evidence of major chronic feto-maternal bleeding which could be the explanation for most of the hematological and biochemical problems which occurred. The child was developing normally at subsequent follow-up aged 15 weeks.