Massive transplacental hemorrhage: clinical manifestations in the newborn.

Thirteen newborn infants had transplacental hemorrhage in excess of 30 ml. Fetal blood in the maternal circulation was demonstrated in all cases by the acid elution technique. Anemia was noted in five babies either at birth or within the first 24 hours of life. One baby was stillborn, the death possibly being related to fetal hemorrhage. The other seven babies were clinically normal in spite of massive transplacental hemorrhage. The hemoglobin …