Abnormal heart rate pattern in fetal anaemia secondary to transient abnormal myelopoeisis in a fetus without trisomy 21: A case report

Abstract

Decreased fetal movements (DFM) are a non-specific and common symptom in the third trimester of pregnancy that hold an association with fetal compromise. A 28-year-old woman at 31 weeks and 3 days of gestation presented with DFM and was found to have a pathological fetal heart rate trace. Following emergency Caesarean section the fetus was diagnosed with transient abnormal myelopoeisis (TAM). Timely treatment was initiated and the neonatal outcome was good. Transient myeloproliferative disorders are almost uniquely found in infants with trisomy 21 (T21). This is the first case report of TAM in the absence of T21 wherein the diagnostic process was commenced antenatally due to non-reassuring fetal status and highlights the importance of antenatal heart rate abnormalities.

Keywords

• Case report
• Decreased fetal movements
• Fetal heart rate
• Fetal anaemia
• Transient abnormal myelopoeisis
• Computertocography