The influence of human serum albumin on edema in erythroblastosis fetalis

Abstract

Two cases of erythroblastosis fetalis complicated by severe generalizededema successfully treated with concentrated human serum albumin are reported. The first was one of twins, in which the untreated sibling died. In the second case, blood studies were done and it was found that the use of the serum albumin corrected an early fall in the blood protein level with subsequent elimination of the severe generalized edema. It is postulated that liver damage, frequently a feature in severe erythroblastosisfetalis, with a disturbed blood protein level was the causative mechanism of the edema, and that the serum albumin restored the level. Studies are now in progress further to elucidate these factors. Two cases of erythroblastosis fetalis complicated by severe generalizededema successfully treated with concentrated human serum albumin are reported. The first was one of twins, in which the untreated sibling died. In the second case, blood studies were done and it was found that the use of the serum albumin corrected an early fall in the blood protein level with subsequent elimination of the severe generalized edema. It is postulated that liver damage, frequently a feature in severe erythroblastosisfetalis, with a disturbed blood protein level was the causative mechanism of the edema, and that the serum albumin restored the level. Studies are now in progress further to elucidate these factors.