Erythroblastosis fetalis: A report of four cases

Abstract

1.1. Four cases of erythroblastosis fetalis, two of congenital hydrops, one of icterus gravis neonatorum with recovery, and one in an infant who died four hours after birth are reported. Blood Kahn tests on all were negative.2.2. An interesting family history of many miscarriages, early infant deaths, and the death of three infants with severe jaundice was obtained from the mother of one of the cases of congenital hydrops. The family history in the other cases was not conclusive.3.3. Post-mortem examination of three of the cases revealed hepatomegalia, immature cells in the circulating blood, and extramedullary centers of hematopoiesis. Two of the infants had splenomegalia.4.4. Following frequent small transfusions totaling 720 c.c. of citrated blood to the patient with icterus gravis neonatorum, the liver and spleen gradually decreased in size, the jaundice diminished, the anemia improved, and the patient was apparently quite fully recovered in thirty days.5.5. Erythroblastosis fetalis may be suspected if the placenta is large, pale, and friable, and there is an increased amount of amniotic fluid which may or may not be yellow tinged.