Fetal intraperitoneal injection of immunoglobulin diminishes alloimmune hemolysis.

Abstract

We report a case of severe fetal anemia associated with maternal anti-M antibody that was treated by direct injection of pooled human immunoglobulin into the fetal abdominal cavity. Four treatments at a dosage of 2 g per-kg estimated fetal body weight were performed, and no side effects were observed. A healthy baby girl was delivered transvaginally at 38 weeks, with neither exchange transfusion nor phototherapy required. Follow-up over 12 months found no indications of anemia or developmental delay in the child. This is believed to be the first report of fetal anemia in a blood-type-incompatible pregnancy being treated successfully with only direct immunoglobulin injection into the fetus. The immunoglobulin may have functioned as a neutralizing antibody causing the anemia to improve.

• Authors: H Matsuda, M Yoshida, H Wakamatsu, K Furuya
• Journal: Journal of perinatology : official journal of the California Perinatal Association (J Perinatol) Vol. 31 Issue 4 Pg. 289-92 (Apr 2011) ISSN: 1476-5543 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 21448182 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Antibodies
• Immunoglobulins

Topics

• Anemia, Hemolytic (diagnosis, immunology, physiopathology, therapy)
• Antibodies (blood)
• Blood Group Incompatibility (diagnosis, immunology, physiopathology, therapy)
• Cordocentesis
• Female
• Fetal Diseases (diagnosis, immunology, physiopathology, therapy)
• Fetal Monitoring
• Fetal Therapies
• Fetus (immunology, physiopathology)
• Histocompatibility, Maternal-Fetal (immunology)
• Humans
• Immunization, Passive
• Immunoglobulins (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Infant
• Infant, Newborn
• Injections, Intraperitoneal
• Pregnancy
• Pregnancy Outcome
• Treatment Outcome
• Young Adult