An unusual complication of fetal blood sampling during labor.

A female infant was delivered at term after biophysical and biochemical monitoring during the intrapartum period. At birth excessive bleeding was noted from the scalp incision sites, leading to severe anemia. The infant was also found to have congenital syphilis. The clinical course was complicated by the development of disseminated intravascular coagulation leading to death despite intensive management. Identification and appropriate management of excessive pre- and postnatal bleeding from a sampling incision is emphasized.