RT Journal
A1 PEARSON HA, DIAMOND LK
T1 FEtomaternal transfusion
JF A.M.A. Journal of Diseases of Children
JO A.M.A. Journal of Diseases of Children
YR 1959
FD March 1
VO 97
IS 3
SP 267
OP 273
DO 10.1001/archpedi.1959.02070010269002
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/archpedi.1959.02070010269002
AB While the hemolytic process of erythroblastosis fetalis is by far the commonest cause of neonatal anemia, fetal anemia may result from a variety of causes.1 Posthemorrhagic anemia of the newborn usually results from premature placenta separation or rupture of a placental blood vessel. A more subtle form of fetal hemorrhage was suggested by Weiner,2 who postulated that transplacental bleeding into the maternal circulation could explain certain cases of nonhemolytic anemia of the newborn. In 1954 Chown3 was able to prove this hypothesis in a case of neonatal anemia by demonstrating fetal cells in the maternal circulation. A number of definite instances of this syndrome have been reported since then,1,4-9 as well as several probable cases.10,11 Despite the frequency with which the condition is being reported, sufficient emphasis has not been given to the marked variability of the clinical signs and laboratory findings in these cases.