Long-term neurodevelopmental and cardiovascular outcome after intrauterine transfusions for fetal anaemia: a review

Prenat Diagn. 2013 Sep;33(9):815-22. doi: 10.1002/pd.4152. Epub 2013 Jun 3.

Abstract

Perinatal survival rates after intrauterine transfusions (IUT) for red cell alloimmunisation now exceed 90%, which demonstrates the safety and efficacy of one of the most successful procedures in fetal therapy. However, improved perinatal survival could lead to an increased number of children with long-term disabilities. The importance of long-term follow-up studies in fetal therapy lies in both the necessity of evaluation of antenatal management as well as in evidence-based preconceptional and prenatal counselling. This review describes the possible long-term cardiovascular and neurodevelopmental sequelae after IUT treatment for different indications including red cell alloimmunisation, parvovirus B19 infection, fetomaternal haemorrhage and twin anaemia-polycythaemia sequence.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anemia / congenital
  • Anemia / therapy*
  • Blood Transfusion, Intrauterine* / adverse effects
  • Cardiovascular Physiological Phenomena*
  • Child
  • Child Development / physiology*
  • Cognition / physiology*
  • Developmental Disabilities / epidemiology
  • Developmental Disabilities / etiology
  • Erythroblastosis, Fetal / therapy
  • Female
  • Fetal Diseases / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Pregnancy
  • Treatment Outcome