title: Pregnancy-induced hemolytic anemia with a possible immune-related mechanism.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pregnancy-induced hemolytic anemia is a rare maternal complication that occurs during pregnancy and resolves soon after delivery. The mechanism is unclear, and the disease is often referred to as unexplained hemolytic anemia associated with pregnancy.
  
  
  METHODS
  We report a case of life-threatening hemolytic anemia that occurred during pregnancy and resolved spontaneously soon after delivery. Direct and indirect Coombs test results were negative. Several possible causes were investigated, but all were ruled out. However, an increased immunoglobulin G level was observed in maternal red blood cells throughout pregnancy when the patient was severely anemic. The immunoglobulin G level decreased after delivery and was close to the control level on postpartum day 5.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These observations suggest that the hemolytic anemia in this patient had an immune-related etiology.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Miyazaki Medical College, University of Miyazaki, Kiyotake-Cho, Miyazaki, Japan. skatsura12@yahoo.co.jp
authors.forename: Shinji
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Katsuragi
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sameshima
authors.forename: Mitsuhiro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Omine
authors.forename: Tsuyomu
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ikenoue
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000743:Anemia, Hemolytic / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011250:Pregnancy Complications, Hematologic / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy; D012075:Remission, Spontaneous
chemical_list: D007074:Immunoglobulin G