The doctors at AIIMS Delhi helped a woman who had seven unsuccessful pregnancies in the past deliver a healthy child. The fetus had a rare blood disorder, which was successfully treated with transfusions of OD phenotype red cell units that were brought all the way from Japan.
According to the physicians at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), this medical feat represents the first procedure of its sort in India and only the eighth example worldwide.
The patient, who was originally from Haryana, had already gone through seven failed pregnancies. The hospital released a statement stating that the mother gave birth to a healthy baby during her eighth pregnancy, following six fetal blood transfusions.
According to the doctors, the woman and the baby were later released in good health.
According to Dr. Neena Malhotra, chief of the obstetrics and gynecology department at AIIMS, Delhi, the incompatibility of the mother's and the unborn child's red blood cells can result in serious difficulties for the unborn child, including anemia, jaundice, heart failure, and even fetal death.
The doctor stated that RhD blood is transfused to the baby inside the mother's womb through the umbilical cord in severe cases of fetal anemia, as this is the most prevalent known incompatibility caused by the RhD antigen.
"It is extremely uncommon to discover a mother who tests negative for the Rh 17 antigen. This would cause incompatibility and anemia in the fetuses within her womb, leading to seven pregnancy losses.
Dr. Neena Malhotra, Chief of Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, AIIMS, Delhi
She had already lost her unborn child when she arrived at AIIMS-Delhi during her seventh pregnancy, but the gynecologist noted that the Blood Bank team, under the direction of Dr. Hem Chandra Pandey, had discovered her uncommon blood type.
"She came to us in the fifth month of her eighth pregnancy, when it was discovered that the baby was already anemic and needed blood transfusions immediately." The blood was not available in India, even though the blood group had been determined, she continued.
Together with Dr. Pandey, a team from the obstetrics and gynecology department contacted the Japanese Red Cross, who verified that the necessary blood was available.
With the assistance of several NGOs and the social service department of AIIMS, funds for the transfer and required permits were swiftly organized, resulting in getting hold of the required funds in less than 48 hours. Blood was supplied from Japan after quick administrative permits were obtained.
Six intrauterine blood transfusions were given to the fetus after the import, which effectively reversed the state of hydrops (heart failure).
The baby was delivered via cesarean section after the pregnancy lasted for eight months.
This is the eighth instance worldwide and the first in India of an alloimmunization case ending in a successful pregnancy due to Rh 17 Ag. The AIIMS stated that "this case stands out in many respects."
(Input from various sources)
(Rehash/Priyanka Pandey/MSM)
