[Fetal plasma erythropoietin concentration during intrauterine transfusion therapy in isoimmunohemolytic anemia due to rhesus incompatibility].
OBJECTIVE
Prenatal plasma concentrations of erythropoietin in fetuses with Rh disease should contribute information to the clinical course and therapeutic control of this disease.


METHODS
Fetal plasma erythropoietin (Epo) and haemoglobin (Hb) concentrations were measured in 145 umbilical venous blood samples of 30 fetuses with Rh disease at 20 to 38 weeks' gestation.


RESULTS
Both Epo and Hb concentrations were independent of the gestational age in red blood cell-isoimmunised pregnancies. The Hb concentration correlated significantly with Epo concentration without intrauterine transfusion (IUT) (r = -0.519, p = 0.005) and after IUT (i = -0.212, p = 0.01). A haemoglobin deficit of 3 g/dl at 20 weeks' gestation increased to 6 g/dl at 38 weeks' gestation in spite of IUT (p = -0.354, p < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Even with IUT, Epo concentrations increase with gestational age during these pregnancies. This is due to increasing Hb deficits indicating fetal hypoxia which might be prevented by increasing volumes of transfusion.
Hebgen
A
A
Abt. Hämatologie und Onkologie, Zentrum für Kinderheilkunde der Rhein, Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn.
Schiffer-N'Gampolo
D
D
Bald
R
R
Hansmann
M
M
Bode
U
U
D000328:Adult; D001805:Blood Transfusion, Intrauterine; D004899:Erythroblastosis, Fetal / Q000097:blood / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D005311:Fetal Hypoxia / Q000097:blood / Q000517:prevention & control; D005865:Gestational Age; D006452:Hemoglobinometry; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D011247:Pregnancy; D012203:Rh Isoimmunization / Q000097:blood / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal
D004921:Erythropoietin