Prenatal diagnosis of anoxic cerebral lesions caused by profound fetal anemia secondary to maternal red blood cell alloimmunization.

BACKGROUND: The long-term neurological prognosis of severe fetal anemia is usually considered favorable, especially when fetal hydrops regresses after successful in utero transfusion.

CASES: We report two cases of prenatally diagnosed fetal cerebral anoxic lesions associated with severe fetal anemia despite appropriate and successful treatment by in utero transfusion. The two pregnancies were terminated.

CONCLUSION: Profound fetal anemia may cause anoxic lesions of the fetal brain that may be diagnosed prenatally. If new onset ventriculomegaly is observed on ultrasonography after in utero transfusion for severe fetal anemia, anoxic lesions could be suspected.