A Ghosh, BCC Lam, HW Liu, M Tang

Abstract

A Chinese infant with immune hydrops fetalis due to Rh isoimmunization is presented. Rh isoimmunization is extremely rare in the Chinese population. This is the first patient we encountered in Hong Kong requiring treatment by in-utero blood transfusion. Following in-utero transfusion, fetal hydropic state as well as maternal pre-eclamptic state improved. Clinicians should be aware of the importance of antenatal blood group screening and instituting immunoglobulin prophylaxis for the at-risk women. Early diagnosis and timely prenatal intervention significantly improve the postnatal outcome. Subsequent postnatal anaemia can be protracted but long term neurodevelopment appears to be unimpaired.