Intra-uterine transfusions to the Rhesus-immunized fetus in the Department of Obstetrics, National Hospital, Oslo 1968-1979. The fetal prognosis by intra-uterine transfusions in relation to amniotic fluid blood pigment index.

During the years 1968-79, 115 intra-uterine transfusions (IUT) were performed in 71 severely Rh-immunized pregnant women at 26-32 weeks' gestational age. Thirty-five (approx. 50%) infants survived; 28 died in utero and 9 in the neonatal period. The selection of patients and technique is described. The amount of transfused blood in cord blood at birth is presented for the majority of liveborn infants. The study emphasizes that the outcome of IUT is entirely dependent on the degree of hemolysis at the time of the initial IUT. Among 30 patients with an amniotic fluid optical density difference at 450 m mu less than 0.3, a survival rate of 83% was registered compared with 36% and 0% in groups with values 0.3-0.6 and greater than 0.6, respectively.