Microangiopathic hemolytic anemia and thrombocytopenia in a neonate associated with a large placental chorioangioma.

The case of an infant born in association with a large chorioangioma of the placenta is presented. The maternal complications of polyhydramnios, preeclampsia, and premature labor are those described in the "syndrome" of a chorioangioma. The immediate neonatal course was unusually complicated by severe microangiopathic anemia with persistent thrombocytopenia and hemolysis which required three exchange blood transfusions. The relationship between the neonatal complications and the placental tumor is discussed in terms of possible pathophysiologic mechanisms.