Foetomaternal haemorrhage causing severe anaemia in a neonate

Abstract

Case report: A baby girl, born at term with a birth weight of 2165 grams by emergency caesarian section was pale and developed grunting at birth with oxygen saturation of 90% at 10 minutes. Haemoglobin on day 1 was 7.7g/dL. Blood film showed evidence of acute blood loss. Kleihauer–Betke test performed on mother’s blood was positive. Baby was transfused with packed red cells and started on haematinics. Discussion: Foetomaternal haemmorhage occurs when fetal blood enters maternal circulation. It may be large enough to cause severe anemia in the neonatal period and should be considered while evaluating a neonate with anemia.

Keywords

• foetomaternal hemorrhage
• anemia
• kleihauer–betke test