Fetal Anemia Caused by Prenatal Gastrointestinal Bleeding: A Case Report

A 39-year-old 34-week-pregnant woman was referred to our hospital for preterm labor and fetal dysfunction. Fetal middle cerebral artery systolic maximum blood flow velocity was high, so fetal anemia was suspected. Blood type was O-type Rh (+) and fetal hemoglobin was 0.4%; tests for irregular antibody and human parvovirus B19 IgM were negative. A high brightness echoic mass was observed in fetal stomach bubble, and amniotic fluid appeared bright. Labor suppression was disabled, and emergency cesarean section was performed. Amniotic fluid turbidity was observed, and on suctioning the stomach content of the infant, turbid amniotic fluid containing blood was obtained. On placental pathological examination, the cause of bloody amniotic fluid was not identified. The infant’s hemoglobin level was low at 8.7 g/dL, so the infant received red cell concentrate, with improvement of general condition.