Increased Systolic Peak Velocity in Fetal Middle Cerebral Artery Blood Flow Shown by Doppler Sonography in Acute Fetomaternal Hemorrhage

Abstract

Doppler measurement of peak systolic velocity of fetal middle cerebral artery (MCA) blood flow provides a noninvasive method to assess the degree of anemia in fetuses with chronic anemia secondary to Rh alloimmunization or parvovirus infection. 1 - 8 There are 2 prior case reports of increased MCA peak systolic velocity in acute fetal anemia. 9 , 1 0 This report adds to that literature and stresses the importance of checking the MCA peak systolic velocity when acute fetal anemia is of concern to appropriately care for the anemic neonate at birth. In this case of a large fetomaternal hemorrhage, neonatal transfusion was set up at the time of the cesarean delivery because of the information gleaned from the MCA Doppler study.