Perinatal outcomes of intrauterine transfusions performed for RhD alloimmunization

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess perinatal outcomes of intrauterine transfusions (IUT) which were performed for Rh alloimmunization. We retrospectively analyzed 109 consecutive intrauterine transfusions, which included 28 pregnancies and 29 fetuses (one dichorionic-diamniotic twin pregnancy) between 2017 and 2019, from the hospital records. The study cohort was compared by means of the presence of hydrops before the beginning of intrauterine transfusions, the severity of fetal anemia, and Doppler parameters before consecutive transfusions. We evaluated perinatal outcomes, which consisted of fetal complications due to intrauterine transfusions and neonatal outcomes. Before the first IUT, 48,3% of the fetuses had hydrops fetalis, and 82,8% had severe anemia. The highest number of IUTs for the same fetus was eight. Overall survival rate was 72%. We divided our cohort into two groups by means of the presence of hydrops fetalis upon first admission. We found that the fetal hemoglobin levels before the first IUT were significantly lower in the hydropic fetuses. Intrauterine transfusion is a safe and effective treatment even in high-risk populations.

Keywords

• intrauterine transfusion
• pregnancy
• neonatal
• outcome

References

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