[Intrauterine blood transfusion as a method of treatment of the edematous form of hemolytic disease of newborn].

Results are reported with intrauterine donor blood transfusions in 7 fetuses with hydropic hemolytic disease. Eight intraabdominal and 8 intravascular sonographically guided fetal transfusions were given at 25-30 weeks' gestation with fetal heart rate monitoring. The criteria for efficacy were disappearance of ascites, reduction in fetal hepatic and splenic sizes, thinning of the placenta. Three fetuses died in utero from symptomatic hydropic hemolytic disease despite the therapy. Four other fetuses were delivered at 30-34 gestational weeks by cesarean section and showed no abdominal ascites. One of the fetuses died from birth trauma on the second postnatal day while the other three were discharged in a satisfactory condition.