Abstract
Introduction
Intrauterine transfusion (IUT) has changed fetal anemia prognosis. However, long-term
neurodevelopmental outcome is altered in 5% of children. Our objective was to study
the contribution of fetal MRI to diagnosis brain lesions in case of fetal anemia.
Material and Methods: Retrospective monocentric descriptive study from 2005 to 2016,
including all patients followed for fetal anemia requiring IUT. The indications for
MRI were: hydrops fetalis and / or hemoglobin <5 g / dL and / or more than 3 IUTs
and / or acute severe anemia and / or ultrasound abnormality. Fetal and neonatal outcome
and pediatric neurological monitoring were studied.
Results
89 patients were followed for fetal anemia with IUT and 28 (29.1%) had fetal MRI,
12 of which were abnormal. Two out of twelve had abnormal ultrasound. Seven out of
twelve had poor neurological prognosis: 2 medical terminations of pregnancy were performed;
2 children had severe developmental delay and 3 children had schooling difficulties.
Five out of twelve children had favorable neurological prognosis.
Conclusion
MRI of the fetal brain makes it possible to better detect brain lesions than ultrasound
does in the management of severe fetal anemia and seems particularly appropriate in
cases of acute anemia.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: June 06, 2018
Accepted:
May 31,
2018
Received in revised form:
April 10,
2018
Received:
October 22,
2017
Identification
Copyright
© 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
