Intravascular fetal transfusion in the management of perinatal hemolytic disease

: Five pregnancies with severe blood cell isoimmunization were managed with intrauterine intravascular transfusions. The procedures were performed percutaneously under direct ultrasound visualization. A total of 14 transfusions, of 16 attempted, were successfully performed. The 5 fetuses required more than one transfusion. Only one died before been born. The other four are alive and without sequelae. Technical aspects of the procedure as well as its indications, advantages, and historical drawbacks are discussed.