Fetal and maternal risks associated with intrauterine transfusion procedures

Abstract Continuing follow-up observations and study of information as derived from a large cohort of fetal recipients of intrauterine transfusion (IUT) is utilized to provide estimates of maternal and fetal risks associated with the transfusion procedures, subsequent maternal complications of the pregnancy, and the health, intelligence, and behavior of the erythroblastotic recipient. The upper limit of risk of the procedure is estimated to be 7.2 per cent. Fourteen per cent of hydropic fetuses survived through the perinatal period as compared with 47 per cent of nonhydropic fetuses. One infant developed acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) at age 4½ years. The IUT survivors showed a marked correlation among the frequencies of abnormalities in the three areas measured: physical, intellectual, and social maturity. Only about 50 per cent were considered normal in these parameters of health. Maternal complications were observed in only 2 per cent of the cases.