Intraperitoneal Fetal Transfusion Under Direct Ultrasound Guidance

The outcomes of 77 fetal intraperitoneal transfusions in 35 pregnancies managed with direct ultrasound guidance and intensive perinatal management were reviewed. Patients were monitored with amniocentesis, and standard indications were used for timing of transfusions. The mean gestational age at first transfusion was 27.3 weeks (range 22-33). The overall mortality rate was 14% (five of 35). No immediate transfusion-related deaths occurred; all fetuses who were not hydropic at first transfusion survived (26 of 26)The mean gestational age at delivery was 33.6 weeks (range 25-36). One infant developed respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). Transfusion-related complications occurred in five cases (fetal colon infusions in two, fetal retroperitoneal infusion in two, and fetal abdominal wall hematoma in one). None of these infants required urgent delivery or suffered long-term sequelae. In nonhydropic fetuses, intraperitoneal transfusions under direct ultrasound guidance had a low incidence of morbidity and no mortality. These results should provide baseline data against which to compare new techniques, such as direct cord transfusion. With neonatal mortality rates of 10% and significant morbidity rates of 10-20% in infants delivered at 32 weeks who develop RDS, intraperitoneal transfusion should be considered in the 32- to 33-week fetus with marked pulmonary immaturity.