Unusual clinical features of neonatal anemia due to fetomaternal transfusion.
Fetomaternal transfusion occurs in about 50 percent pregnancies. However, it can cause severe neonatal anemia at birth. A one-day-old baby girl, small for gestational age, was born to a G1P1 woman without perinatal blood loss or obstetric complication. Pallor and mild tachypnea were noted after birth. Laboratory examination revealed severe anemia, (Hb: 4.8 gm/dl, Hct: 14.7%), reticulocytosis and normoblastemia. Direct coombs' test was negative. Brain echo examination was normal. Maternal peripheral blood smear stained with Kleihauer-Betke technique demonstrated presence of fetal cells. Following packed red blood cells transfusion, the baby's symptoms improved. The unusual clinical features were described and discussed. Kleihauer-Betke test should be performed in unexpected neonatal anemia after birth.
Wang
J W
JW
Department of Pediatrics, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C.
Yang
C P
CP
Hung
I J
IJ
D000751:Anemia, Neonatal / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D005331:Fetomaternal Transfusion / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D011247:Pregnancy