Amniocentesis Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Amniocentesis, including details on pregnancy, prenatal screening, diagnosis, risks, down syndrome.

Rh alloimmunization: Doppler or amniotic fluid analysis in the prediction of fetal anemia?

Nardozza LM, Moron AF, Junior EA, Camano L, Chinen PA, Torloni MR

Obstetrics Department, UNIFESP-EPM, Av. Lopes de Azevedo, 888, São Paulo, SP, 05603-001, Brazil, lunardozza@uol.com.br.

OBJECTIVE: Compare the results of amniocentesis and those of middle cerebral artery peak systolic velocity to detect anemic fetuses in Rh alloimmunized pregnancies. METHOD: 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. RESULT: 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. CONCLUSION: 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.

Published 5 March 2007 in Arch Gynecol Obstet, 275(2): 107-11.
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