Transplacental fetomaternal transfusion in physiological labor and in various pathological states of pregnancy and labor
Jakubowska, M.; Sikorski, R.
Ginekologia Polska 51(12): 1123-1128
1980
ISSN/ISBN: 0017-0011 PMID: 7203124 Document Number: 158390
The Kleihauer-Betke technique was used to detect the presence of fetal blood cells in maternal circulation. A total of 362 women were investigated: 300 successfully completed pregnancy and labor, and in 62 the course of pregnancy and/or labor was pathological. Fetal blood cells were detected in 35% of pregnant women in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy and in 70% of women who delivered children with ABO group system compatible with the mother. After delivery of incompatible ABO group system babies, fetal blood cells were detected in 1% of examined women. The differences were significant. In the 62 women with pathologic pregnancy or labor, fetal blood cells were found in the maternal blood stream in 90%. In cases of intrauterine death of the fetus, toxemia or coagulopathy the quantity of fetal blood cells in the maternal blood ranged from 2-150 ml. The examination of blood smears of pregnant women without ABO incompatibility and in the same subjects after labor, may serve as a valuable diagnostic measure for the evaluation of placental function and as a means to determine the perinatal risk for the mother, fetus and newborn.