Rh alloimmunization: Doppler or amniotic fluid analysis in the prediction of fetal anemia?
OBJECTIVE
Compare the results of amniocentesis and those of middle cerebral artery peak systolic velocity to detect anemic fetuses in Rh alloimmunized pregnancies.


METHODS
Descriptive observational study involving 99 consecutive Rh-negative pregnancies: 74 alloimmunized patients submitted to amniotic fluid spectrophotometry (group 1) and 25 alloimmunized cases managed with Doppler ultrasonography (group 2). Variables analyzed were the following: need for neonatal transfusion and neonatal hematocrit.


RESULTS
Neonatal hematocrit was significantly lower and the need for neonatal transfusion was significantly higher in cases managed with spectrophotometry compared to those managed with Doppler.


CONCLUSIONS
Infants managed with Doppler velocimetry had higher hematocrit and less need for neonatal transfusion, suggesting that this non-invasive method of monitoring fetal anemia may best preserve the neonate.
Nardozza
Luciano Marcondes Machado
LM
Obstetrics Department, UNIFESP-EPM, Av. Lopes de Azevedo, 888, São Paulo, SP, 05603-001, Brazil. lunardozza@uol.com.br
Moron
Antonio Fernandes
AF
Araujo Júnior
Edward
E
Camano
Luiz
L
Chinen
Paulo Alexandre
PA
Torloni
Maria Regina
MR
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000649:Amniocentesis; D000740:Anemia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D001803:Blood Transfusion / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005313:Fetal Death / Q000209:etiology; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D006400:Hematocrit / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D020768:Middle Cerebral Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology; D012203:Rh Isoimmunization / Q000150:complications*; D013053:Spectrophotometry; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler