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Successful management of severe hemolytic disease of the fetus due to anti‐ Jsb using intrauterine transfusions with serial maternal blood donations: a case report and a review of the literature
Author(s) -
Al Riyami Arwa Z.,
Al Salmani Moza,
Al Hashami Sabria,
Al Mahrooqi Sabah,
Al Hinai Sumaiya,
Al Balushi Halima,
Al Riyami Nihal,
Gowri V.,
Al Dughaishi Tamima,
Al Hosni Saif,
AlKhabori Murtadha,
AlFarsi Khalil,
Al Huneini Mohammed,
Alkindi Salam
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
transfusion
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.045
H-Index - 132
eISSN - 1537-2995
pISSN - 0041-1132
DOI - 10.1111/trf.12331
Subject(s) - medicine , fetus , pregnancy , gestation , umbilical cord , anemia , obstetrics , erythropoietin , hydrops fetalis , immunology , genetics , biology
Background The management of pregnant women with anti‐Jsb is challenging due to the paucity of antigen‐negative blood for fetal and neonatal transfusion. Case Report A 29‐year‐old woman with anti‐ Jsb was referred for assessment of recurrent fetal losses. With the presence of the sister as a historically matched donor, she was planned for active surveillance for fetal anemia during pregnancy. Study Design and Methods The fetus remained well until 21 weeks of gestation when signs of fetal anemia and early hydrops fetalis were noted. Anti‐ Jsb titer was at 128. The sister's red blood cells ( RBCs ) were cross‐match incompatible. Urgent intrauterine transfusion ( IUT ) was performed with washed irradiated maternal RBCs , donated after cessation of heparin. The mother was given intravenous iron ( IV ‐ Fe ) and continued on weekly recombinant human erythropoietin ( rHu ‐ EPO ). Results Repeated IUTs were needed every 1 to 3 weeks. Throughout a 7‐week period, three maternal donations were performed with total donated whole blood volume of 1250 mL , supporting four IUTs. At 29 weeks of gestation, the procedure was complicated by umbilical cord hematoma necessitating urgent cesarean section. A male newborn was delivered, transfused at birth, and subsequently treated with phototherapy and five top‐up transfusions. Conclusion This case represents a successful example of managing hemolytic disease of the fetus due to a rare antibody using maternal blood. It also supports previous data on safety of maternal donations during pregnancy and the use of combination of rHu ‐ EPO and IV ‐ Fe as a supportive measure.