Role of intrauterine blood transfusions in management of Rh-isoimmunized pregnancies

Background: hemolytic disease of the newborn secondary to rhesus alloimmunization was once a major contributor to perinatal morbidity and mortality. aim: to describe the fetal outcome of the procedure and to calculate fetal survival rate after intra-uterine transfusion in sir ganga ram hospital methods: this descriptive study was carried out in sir ganga ram hospital lahore over a period of one year from january 2001 to december 2001. all the patients who require intrauterine transfusion (iut) for rh-incompatibility were included in this study. those patients who require iut due to causes other than rh (d) incompatibility were excluded from the study. for intrauterine transfusion,canula was introduced in intrahepatic portion of umbilical vein under direct ultrasonic vision and fetal blood sample was taken before transfusion for blood grouping haemoglobin and haematocrit. packed cells of compatible o-ve group were used for transfusion. results: overall fetal survival rate after intrauterine transfusion was 62.5% for hydropic fetuses survival rate was 25% compared with non-hydropic fetuses which was 100%. conclusion: the response of non-hydropic and mildly hydropic fetuses was better as compared to severely hydropic fetus.