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Fetomaternal hemorrhage (FMH), an update: review of literature and an illustrative case

  • Maternal-Fetal Medicine
  • Published:
Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background

Blood trafficking from fetus to mother and vice versa is a well-known physiological event that occurs at any stage in pregnancy. If the fetus looses high blood quantities to the maternal blood stream it becomes symptomatic. These symptoms can vary from cardiovascular distress to fetal death.

Materials and methods

We give a review of current literature on Fetomaternal hemorrhage (FMH).

Conclusion

This article highlights the importance of physician’s awareness on detecting this rare but life threatening entity with both severe consequences for mother and neonate. The traditional measurement of FMH and the co-usage of alpha-fetoprotein are debated. To conclude we describe and discuss an illustrative case of FMH. This article gives an applicatory overview of symptoms, diagnostics and treatment of FMH to facilitate physicians to detect this disease precociously.

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Conflict of interest

The authors state that they have no conflict of interest as well as full control of all data. We allow the journal to review our data if requested.

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Correspondence to Josefine Theresia Maier.

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Maier, J.T., Schalinski, E., Schneider, W. et al. Fetomaternal hemorrhage (FMH), an update: review of literature and an illustrative case. Arch Gynecol Obstet 292, 595–602 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-015-3686-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-015-3686-1

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