Gangrenous Skin Defect After Intrauterine Transfusion

INTRAUTERINE transfusion in the management of erythroblastosis fetalis is accompanied by numerous complications.1-4Lucey1catalogued potential complications and risks in both mother and fetus resulting from this procedure. Houston and Brown2described an unusual occurrence (fetal death following the introduction of contrast medium into the pericardial cavity), and mentioned previously reported complications. Hamilton and Pilla3reported a patient who had a small area of necrosis on the cheek following intrauterine transfusion; however, this was not discussed further. Fong et al4mentioned an area resembling a second degree burn on the arm of a newborn child who had received an intrauterine transfusion, and speculated on the etiology. This report describes a case of gangrene of the anterior abdominal wall observed in a female infant at the time of delivery. Presumably this lesion resulted from trauma incurred at the time of intrauterine transfusions. Report of a Case