[Sinusoidal fetal heart rate pattern indicating severe anemia due to fetomaternal transfusion (author's transl)].

A case of feto-maternal transfusion with an estimated loss of 125 ml blood is presented. After an uncomplicated pregnancy nothing but a sinusoidal fetal heart rate pointed to the severe illness of the fetus as shown by a hemoglobin level of 48 g/l. Immediate cesarean section was performed on the base of this typical cardiotocographic pattern only. Consequently the significance of sinusoidal fetal heart rate indicating fetal suffering is discussed.