Fetal monitoring in the alloimmunized pregnancy.

At many points in the development of serious alloimmune disease, the progression of hemolysis can be monitored, and appropriate interventions will prevent the ultimate outcome in fetal disease. Careful attention to maternal monitoring, founded on an understanding of the pathophysiology of alloimmunization, provides the basis for invasive testing. Invasive testing, coupled with detailed real-time ultrasound fetal examination, quantitates disease and determines the necessity of intrauterine treatment. Expertise with these techniques provides the means for approaching 100 percent survival in even the most severely affected.