Acute RH Isoimmunization Following Abdominal Trauma Associated with Late Abruption Placenta

Acute exacebration of Rh isoimmunization following abdominal trauma is a rare complication of pregnancy. The report describes a case of a mild case of erythro‐blastosis fetalis following maternal exposure to massive fetal‐maternal transfusion, occuring after abdominal injury in motoring accident. Abruptio placenta 7 days following the trauma indicated emergency cesaren section, at which a severely affected fetus (erythroblastosis fetalis) was delivered. Late abruption—in the presence of no other risk factor—is considered to call for prolonged surveillance. Any abdominal trauma in a Rh‐negative woman should alert one to the possibility of massive transplacental hemorrhage and augmentation of the maternal immune response. 1989 Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand